Echocardiographic screening in 24 consecutive AIDS patients.

: To assess the prevalence and extent of cardiac abnormalities in patients with newly diagnosed AIDS, 24 consecutive patients admitted for treatment for acute opportunistic infections were examined with echocardiography during hospitalisation. None of the patients had known cardiac disease or were drug abusers. A total of 16 abnormalities were identified in 13 patients (54%). Nine patients had a right ventricular diameter exceeding 26 mm, two patients had a slightly dilated left atrium or left ventricle, respectively, and five had a moderate pericardial effusion (range 2-8 mm). Left ventricular contractility was normal in all patients. Survival rates between AIDS patients with or without cardiac abnormalities were identical. It is concluded that minor cardiac abnormalities are common in AIDS patients with acute opportunistic infection. However, echocardiography in this group of AIDS patients without cardiac complaints gives no important functional or prognostic information as a routine procedure.