Cardiologie clinique et expérimentale
Libre accès
ISSN: 2155-9880
ISSN: 2155-9880
Kofoworola Olajire Awotedu, Rajiv Erasmus, Abolade Ajani Awotedu and Ambrose Vincent Namugowa
Background: HIV patients are suspected to have increased arterial stiffness which may contribute to a higher risk of coronary atherosclerosis. Invasive techniques are of limited value, hence in this study, the use on a noninvasive method was applied. The objective of the study was to see if there is increased arterial stiffness in HIV patients using applanation tonometry of the radial artery, consequently leading to cardiac dysfunction resulting in myocardial ischemia.
Methods: 169 participants took part in the study between December 2012 and June 2013. There were 63 HIV positive participants, 52 HIV negative participants, and 54 HIV treatment naive participants. Augmentation index (AIx (75), Ejection duration index (ED%) and sub-endocardial variability ratio (SEVR) and other parameters of interest were measured using arterial wave reflection in these participants.
Results: SEVR was highest in the HIV negative participants and lowest in HAART naïve HIV participants (p<0.001). In both groups, the HIV positive participants had significant arterial stiffness compared to HIV negative participants (p=0.024). The HIV positive participants also had higher ejection duration index (ED %) with the highest values being observed in those that were not on treatment (p<0.001). Both SEVR and ED% had negative correlation with HR using Pearson's correlation and Stepwise Linear regression p<0.001. There was no significant correlation with age p=0.143. No significant differences in both the systolic and diastolic blood pressures between the three groups were observed, although heart rate was lower in the HIV negatives participants.
Conclusion: HIV patients are prone to having systolic dysfunction which may lead to myocardial ischemia.