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DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.21088/ijmhs.2347.9981.5118.5

Abstract

Background: With increasing incidence of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) related heart failure, evidence suggests that diastolic rather than systolic dysfunction is predominant. The pathology of pericardium, myocardium or coronary and pulmonary vasculature is related to heart failure in HIV. Echocardiography helps in detecting cardiac dysfunction before overt clinical manifestations develop.

Objectives: To assess cardiac structure, function and cardiac abnormalities related to heart failure in HIV-infected subjects attending medicine department of a tertiary care teaching hospital.

Methodology: This was a prospective cross-sectional study of 102 HIV-infected patients presenting with cardiac complaints at the medical department of a tertiary care hospital in western Maharashtra from July 2016 to September 2017.

Results: A total of 102 HIV infected patients were included with cardiac complaints, 50 (49%) were in heart failure (HF). Commonest causes of HF were left ventricular hypertrophy, pulmonary hypertension, dilated cardiomyopathy and anaemia. Male gender (OR 4.03), low education (OR 4.91), previous history of tuberculosis (OR 3.01), and low haemoglobin (OR 0.83), were independently associated with diagnosis of HF (p<0.05 for all).

Conclusion: Left ventricular wall thickness and function should be monitored regularly in HIV subjects. The echocardiography is a useful and relevant tool in management of HIV infected patients especially in the era of ART.

Keywords: Echocardiography; HIV; Heart Failure.

Corresponding Author : Rutuja Bedmutha, Resident, Department of Medicine, DVVPF’s Medical College, (Opposite Govt. Milk Dairy) Vadgaon Gupta, Post- MIDC, Ahmednagar Maharashtra 414111, India.