HIV-Related Myocardial Vulnerability to Infarction and Coronary Artery Disease

Human immunodeficiency virus-infected (HIV+) persons have significantly greater risks for myocardial infarction (MI), heart failure, and sudden death than the general population (1–3). HIV-related inflammation and immune dysfunction have been implicated in atherogenesis and MI, but the extent to which these processes potentiate myocardial ischemic scarring in HIV is unknown. Emerging data suggest that CD4+ T regulatory (Treg) cells —which are often depleted and dysfunctional in HIV—reduce infarct size and attenuate adverse remodeling following MI(4). Accordingly, it is plausible that HIV-related inflammation and immune dysregulation make the myocardium particularly vulnerable to ischemic injury.

Source: Journal of the American College of Cardiology - October 25, 2016 Category: Cardiology Source Type: research