Endothelial function in HIV-infected patients with low or mild cardiovascular risk

Received 17 January 2006; returned 28 February 2006; revised 13 April 2006; accepted 18 April 2006Background: Highly active antiretroviral therapy for HIV-infected patients is associated with metabolicside effects, which could cause an increased cardiovascular risk in these patients. Non-invasive study ofendothelial function by brachial artery ultrasound can detect subclinical atherosclerosis. Several studieshave assessed endothelial function in HIV-infected patients with associated cardiovascular risk factors.Objectives: The aim of this study is to determine endothelial function in HIV-infected patients underantiretroviral therapy with low or mild coronary risk and lipid levels within the normal range.Methods: Transversal study including 28 HIV-infected adults (15 receiving antiretroviral therapy and13 naive) with low or mild cardiovascular risk and 12 healthy controls. Subjects with diabetes mellitus,hypertension, cardiovascular disease, obesity, high cholesterol or high triglyceride levels were excluded.Endothelialfunctionwasdeterminedwithflow-mediateddilation(FMD)ofthebrachialarterybyultrasoundstudy.Results: Treated HIV-infected patients had significantly lower FMD (5.93 – 3.56) than healthy controls(10.64 – 3.08, P = 0.008). Naive patients had an intermediate FMD, but this was not statistically significant.Conclusions: HIV-infected patients receiving antiretroviral therapy who have low or mild cardiovascularriskandlipidlevelswithinthenormalrangehaveendothelialdysfunctioncomparedwithhealthycontrols.Keywords: atherosclerosis, risk factors, antiretroviral therapy