Ritonavir Use in Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Positive Surgical Patients Is Not Associated with an Increase in Postoperative Critical Respiratory Events.

This study evaluated whether highly active antiretroviral therapy for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) including ritonavir is independently associated with increased critical respiratory events after general anesthesia with opioid analgesia. The impact of ritonavir on hepatic microsomal enzymes was considered due to the effect of these enzymes on opioid metabolism. Medical records of over 1900 patients were reviewed, and those of 941 patients met inclusion criteria and were analyzed. Chronic treatment with ritonavir was not associated with critical respiratory events in HIV-positive patients.