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Unrecognized CAD common in HIV
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SAN FRANCISCO — Coronary artery disease was common among a cohort of middle-aged patients with HIV undergoing catheterization. The significant number of catheterizations for unstable angina or myocardial infarction in this patient population suggests a need for earlier diagnosis of coronary artery disease, according to Charles Hicks, MD, and colleagues.
According to background information in their study abstract, when there are delays in catheterizations in those with HIV, this may result in worse coronary artery disease (CAD) at diagnosis and significant cardiac morbidity.
Charles Hicks
Hicks, a professor at Duke University Medical Center, and colleagues pooled data on adults with HIV being treated at an academic medical center for a first catheterization for chest pain or suspected CAD (n=96). These patients were then compared with a randomly selected group of patients without HIV who were similar in gender, age and socioeconomic status (n=41).
Patients without HIV were more likely to have diabetes, whereas end-stage renal disease was more common among those with HIV. HIV infection was associated with being male and tobacco use. Urgent catheterization was significantly more likely among those with HIV. However, similarities in the incidence for CAD were observed among both groups.
“Significant CAD was very common in HIV-positive patients going for catheterization (63%) despite the young median age of 49 years,” the researchers wrote. “The high proportion of HIV-positive catheterization for MI or [unstable angina] suggests health care providers may not consider CAD early enough in younger HIV-positive patients.”
For more information:
Hicks C. #H-229. Presented at: 52nd ICAAC; Sept. 9-12, 2012; San Francisco.
Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.