Statin use in HIV: European AIDS Clinical Society guidance for the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease

Abstract

Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) is an important comorbidity in people ageing with HIV. Over-representation of classic risk factors such as smoking, and other factors such as HIV infection and its therapy, which are exclusive to people with HIV, are responsible for the increased risk of developing ASCVD. The tools to estimate risk, including Systematic Coronary Risk Evaluation 2 (SCORE2), generally underestimate risk in people with HIV. The Randomized Trial to Prevent Vascular Events in HIV (REPRIEVE) study showed that pitavastatin among people with HIV with low-to-moderate ASCVD risk significantly reduced the incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events. Following these results, the European AIDS Clinical Society recommends the use of moderate-intensity statins for people with HIV with a SCORE2 value between 5% and less than 10%, or ≥2·5% if older than 50 years with no additional listed risk factors. Moderate-intensity statins can be considered in people with HIV aged 40 years and over with a SCORE2 <5%. Although the REPRIEVE study findings are expected to have a major effect on clinical care, implementation could be hampered by the absence of adequate guidance or access to statins, concerns about tolerability and potential drug interactions, and difficulties in maintaining adherence. These key recommendations from the European AIDS Clinical Society aim to provide support in this remit.