Coronary atherosclerosis characteristics in HIV-infected patients on long-term antiretroviral therapy: insights from coronary computed tomography-angiography

Abstract

Objective: The aim of the study was to assess coronary artery disease (CAD) characteristics by coronary computed tomography-angiography (CCTA) in individuals with HIV infection on long-term antiretroviral therapy (ART) DESIGN:: Retrospective case-controlled matched cohort study.

Methods: Sixty-nine HIV-positive patients who underwent 128-slice dual source CCTA (mean age 54.9 years, 26.1% women) with mean 17.8 ± 9.4 years of HIV infection and a mean duration on ART of 13 ± 7.3 years were propensity score-matched (1 : 1) for age, sex, BMI, and five cardiovascular risk factors with 69 controls. CCTA was evaluated for stenosis severity [according to Coronary Artery Disease - Reporting and Data System (CAD-RADS)], total plaque burden [segment involvement score (SIS) and mixed-noncalcified plaque burden (G-score)]. As inflammatory biomarkers, high-risk plaque (HRP) features (napkin-ring sign, low-attenuation plaque, spotty calcification, positive remodeling), perivascular fat attenuation index (FAI), and ectatic coronary arteries were assessed.

Results: CAD-RADS was higher in HIV-positive participants as compared with controls (2.21 ± 1.4 vs. 1.69 ± 1.5, P = 0.031). A higher prevalence of CAD and G-score (P = 0.043 and P = 0.003) was found. HRP prevalence [23 (34.3%) vs. 8 (12.1%); P = 0.002] and the number of HRP (36 vs. 10, P < 0.001) were higher in HIV-positive individuals. A perivascular FAI greater than -70 Hounsfield units was present in 27.8% of HRP. Ectatic coronary arteries were found in 10 (14.5%) HIV-positive persons vs. 0% in controls (P = 0.003).

Conclusion: Noncalcified and HRP burden in HIV-infected individuals on long-term ART is higher and associated with higher cardiovascular risk. Moreover, HIV-positive individuals displayed a higher stenosis severity (CAD-RADS) and more ectatic coronary arteries compared with the control group.