[AIDS and heart disease]

Abstract

This article reviews cardiac manifestations of AIDS in terms of etiology, pathogenesis, pathoanatomic lesions and heart function. Hypothetically the prevalence of myocarditis and disperse fibrosis of the myocardium are correlated to increasing rates of dilated cardiomyopathy and cardiac insufficiency. Echocardiography has proved to be of value in detecting early abnormalities and should be recommended on broad indications, though aggressive therapy of cardiac abnormalities is of importance to ensure quality of life and surveillance for the patients.