Frequency of left ventricular dysfunction and other echocardiographic abnormalities in human immunodeficiency virus seronegative intravenous drug users

Cocaine, cardiomyopathy, and heart failure: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Although the cardiotoxic effects of cocaine are universally recognized, the association between cocaine and cardiomyopathy and/or heart failure is poorly understood. To conduct a comprehensive review and meta-analysis on the association between cocaine, heart failure, and cardiomyopathy, we first conducted a broad-term search in PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Scopus for human studies containing primary data on the relationship between cocaine and heart failure or cardiomyopathy. We were interested in studies with data beyond acute coronary syndromes. Retrieved studies were grouped into different categories based on possible hypotheses to test by meta-analysis. A second search with specific terms was then conducted. For grouped studies with sufficient clinical and methodological homogeneity, effect sizes were calculated and combined for meta-analysis by the Random Effects model. There is in general a need for more primary data studies that investigate heart failure and/or cardiomyopathy in cocaine users for mechanisms independent of ischemia. There were, however, enough studies to combine by meta-analyses that showed that chronic cocaine use is associated with anatomical and functional changes more consistent with diastolic heart failure instead of the commonly taught dilated cardiomyopathy pathway. In patients without a history of ACS, chronic cocaine use was not associated with significantly reduced EF. The few studies on acute cocaine had conflicting results on whether single-dose intravascular cocaine results in acute heart failure. Studies identified that included beta-blockade therapy in cocaine users with cardiac disease suggest that beta-blockers are not unsafe and that may be effective in the treatment of cocaine-associated heart failure. Chronic cocaine use is associated with anatomical and physiological changes of the heart muscle that are potentially reversible with beta-blockade therapy.

Echocardiographic findings suggestive of infective endocarditis in asymptomatic Danish injection drug users attending urban injection facilities

Injection drug users (IDUs) account for a considerable number of the hospitalizations for infective endocarditis (IE), but the prevalence of diagnosed and unrecognized IE in IDUs is unknown. The aim of the present study was to assess the prevalence of valvular abnormalities suggestive of IE in IDUs attending a supervised injection facility. We performed transthoracic echocardiographic examinations on-site in the injection facilities. A total of 206 IDUs (mean age 43 ± 9 years, 23% women) with a median injection drug abuse of 18 years (interquartile range 10 to 26) were included. Fourteen IDUs (14 of 206, 7%, 95% confidence interval [CI] 4% to 11%) had a previous history of IE. IDUs with a history of IE were significantly older than IDUs without a history of IE (48 ± 8 vs 42 ± 9 years, respectively, p = 0.03) and had a longer duration of injection drug use (27 [18 to 36] vs 17 years [10 to 25], p = 0.008). In the subgroup of IDUs with a history of IE, 4 subjects (4 of 14, 29%, 95% CI 11% to 55%) had persistent or relapse vegetations. Of the remaining 10 IDUs with a history of IE, 5 (5 of 10, 50%, 95% CI 24% to 76%) had moderate-to-severe regurgitation. In the subgroup of IDUs without a history of IE, vegetations were seen in 9 subjects (9 of 192, 5%, 95% CI 2% to 9%). This group of IDUs with possibly unrecognized IE was older than IDUs without vegetations (48 ± 12 vs 42 ± 9, respectively, p = 0.04). Among the IDUs without a history of IE who did not have vegetations, 30 IDUs (30 of 183, 16%, 95% CI 11% to 22%) had moderate-to-severe regurgitation with or without concomitant thickening of leaflets. Thus, in IDUs without a history of IE, some extent of valvular abnormalities was seen in 20% (39 of 192, 95% CI 15% to 27%) of subjects. None of the IDUs with valvular vegetations had current symptoms consistent with active IE. In conclusion, valvular abnormalities assessed by echocardiography were prevalent in asymptomatic IDUs without a medical history of IE, and vegetations were seen in 5% of subjects.

[Prevalence of cardiomyopathy in HIV infection: prospective study on 158 HIV patients]

BACKGROUND

There is evidence that the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) may affect the heart and left ventricular dysfunction appears to be common.

OBJECTIVE

This was the first study in Morocco to investigate the frequency of cardiomyopathy in patients infected with HIV.

METHODS

We made a prospective echocardiographic study of 158 patients starting in September 2004 (88 men and 70 women, mean age 34 [5.4] years) with positive HIV serology and a clinical diagnosis of HIV infection according to CDC criteria and 80 seronegative control subjects. Patients were classified as AIDS group (90 patients) and HIV group (+) (68 patients) and HIV (-) (80 subjects).

RESULTS

Twenty-eight out of 156 (17.7%) cases of cardiomyopathy were found, distributed in 24 out of 90 (26.6%) in the AIDS group and four out of 68 (2.8%) in the HIV+group (p<0.01) and none in the HIV (-) group. Left ventricular diastolic dysfunction was noted among 88 out of 158 (55.7%) infected patients. There was a significant increase of cardiomyopathy in patients with HIV infection and decreased CD4 (less than 100 per millimetre cube; n=16 [57%]) compared to those with CD4 between 100 and 200 per millimetre cube; n=6 (21.42%) (p=0.03).

CONCLUSION

Echocardiography was a useful technique for the early detection of cardiac dysfunction in asymptomatic HIV positive carriers and AIDS patients. The frequency is related to HIV infection stage and CD4+ counts. Left ventricular diastolic dysfunction can precede systolic dysfunction and may be a useful technique for the early detection of cardiac dysfunction.

Use of HIV protease inhibitors is associated with left ventricular morphologic changes and diastolic dysfunction

HIV protease inhibitor (PI) therapy may be associated with cardiac and vascular complications. We assessed the effects of PIs on cardiac function and structure. M-mode, cross-sectional, and Doppler echocardiography were performed in 98 consecutive black adults aged 25 to 45 years with HIV infection who were receiving antiretroviral therapy. Forty-five (56.1%) took PIs (mean duration of PI use: 29.6 +/- 12.2 months). No significant differences between the PI and non-PI groups were found in left ventricular (LV) systolic function and cardiac valve regurgitation. Those who took PIs had a significantly higher interventricular septum thickness (1.1 +/- 0.3 vs. 1.0 +/- 0.2 cm; p =.049), LV posterior wall thickness (1.1 +/- 0.2 vs. 1.0 +/- 0.2; p =.027), and lower ratio of early peak velocity (E wave) to late peak velocity (A wave) (E/A ratio) (1.36 +/- 0.30 vs. 1.53 +/- 0.31; p =.023) than did those who did not take PIs. Linear regression analyses indicated that posterior wall thickness, septum thickness, left atrial dimension, LV mass, and E/A ratios were significantly associated with the log-transformed duration of PI therapy. Despite the proven benefits of PIs in patients with HIV infection, this report demonstrates an association between continued PI intake and LV hypertrophy that should be known and taken into consideration in the analysis of cardiac structure and function in patients with HIV infection.

Mitochondrial dysfunction and antiretroviral nucleoside analog toxicities: what is the evidence?

Mitochondrial dysfunction has been associated with long-term toxicities of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) therapy, particularly with the nucleoside analog reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs). Lactic acidosis, hepatic steatosis, myopathies, cardiomyopathies, neuropathies, and lipodystrophy are frequently attributed to mitochondrial toxicity. Since mitochondrial toxicity could pose a major threat to the long-term success of HIV therapy, the scientific evidence underlying an association between mitochondrial toxicity and antiretroviral therapies, must be carefully examined. There is some data to support the association between NRTIs and mitochondria dysfunction. In this review, we examine human, animal, and in vitro data implicating mitochondrial dysfunction as the causal mechanism of NRTI-associated toxicity in HIV-infected patients.

Asymptomatic HIV patient with cardiomyopathy and nephropathy: case report and literature review

We report a previously asymptomatic HIV patient with high CD4 lymphocyte count and low HIV1 viral load who developed cardiac and renal disease. Management with ACE inhibitor, diuretics and triple antiretroviral combination therapy yielded a rapid clinical response. An understanding of the spectrum of renal and cardiac derangements is essential for clinicians in managing patients with HIV disease.

Prevalence of cardiac valve abnormalities in afebrile injection drug users

OBJECTIVES

To determine the prevalence of occult valvular pathology in afebrile injection drug users (IDUs) compared with an afebrile, non-IDU population. To characterize the type of valvular pathology present in light of current recommendations regarding periprocedural antibiotic prophylaxis against endocarditis.

METHODS

This was a comparative, cross-sectional study involving a convenience sample of 98 patients with a history of injection drug use, and 99 non-IDU patients presenting to a large urban ED. Patients were excluded if they had one or more of the following: a history of cardiac valve abnormality, a history of endocarditis, fever on presentation, or a cardiac murmur. Data were collected that included demographics, medical history, and details of injection drug use. Transthoracic echocardiography (echo) was performed on each subject in the ED, and read in a blinded fashion by a single board-certified cardiologist.

RESULTS

Among 98 IDUs and 99 non-IDUs, 12% of the IDUs had aortic valve thickening, compared with 5.1% of the non-IDUs (99% CI for difference of 7.8% = -3.0% to 18.6%). Forty-four percent of the IDUs had mitral valve thickening, compared with 25% of the non-IDUs (99% CI for difference of 18.3% = 0.9% to 35.7%). Eleven percent of the IDUs vs 1% of the non-IDUs had tricuspid valve thickening (99% CI for difference of 10.4% = 1.6% to 19.2%). No patient had pulmonic valve thickening. Six percent of the IDUs vs 0% of the non-IDUs had mitral annulus thickening (99% CI for difference of 6.3% = -0.1% to 12.8%). Twelve percent of the IDUs vs 3% of the non-IDUs had mitral chordae thickening (99% CI for difference of 9.5% = -0.4% to 19.4%). Tricuspid chordae thickening was recorded in 2% of the IDUs vs 0% of the non-IDUs (99% CI for difference of 2.1% = -1.7% to 6.0%). Most important, the prevalence of valvular regurgitation was small, and evenly distributed in the two groups. No valvular vegetations were seen.

CONCLUSION

Both non-IDUs and IDUs have occult valvular pathology. There is an increased prevalence in IDUs of tricuspid and mitral valve thickening. The prevalence of valvular regurgitation, a reported indication for periprocedural antibiotic prophylaxis, was small and the affected valves were not statistically different between the two groups. These findings question the selected routine use of antibiotic prophylaxis in IDU patients undergoing invasive procedures.

The detection of viral genomes by polymerase chain reaction in the myocardium of pediatric patients with advanced HIV disease

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to investigate the frequency of viral nucleic acid detection in the myocardium of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected children to determine whether an association exists with the development of heart disease.

BACKGROUND

As improved medical interventions increase the life expectancy of HIV-infected patients, increased incidences of myocarditis and dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) are becoming more apparent, even in patients without clinical symptoms.

METHODS

Myocardial samples were obtained from the postmortem hearts of 32 HIV-infected children and from 32 age-matched controls consisting of patients with structural congenital heart disease and no myocardial inflammation and no cardiac or systemic viral infection. The hearts were examined histologically and analyzed for the presence of viral sequences by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or reverse transcription-PCR.

RESULTS

Myocarditis was detected histologically in 11 of the 32 HIV-infected patients, and borderline myocarditis was diagnosed in another 13 cases. Infiltrates were confined to the epicardium in two additional hearts. Virus sequences were detected by PCR in 11 of these 26 cases (42.3%); adenovirus in 6, CMV in 3 and both adenovirus and CMV in 2. Two cases without infiltrates were also positive for adenovirus: one had congestive heart failure (CHF) and the other adenoviral pneumonia. No other viruses were detected by PCR, including HIV proviral DNA. All control samples were negative for all viruses tested.

CONCLUSIONS

These data suggest that the presence of viral nucleic acid in the myocardium is common in HIV-infected children, and may relate to the development of myocarditis, DCM or CHF and may contribute to the rapid progression of HIV disease.

Predictors of myocardial dysfunction in human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients

BACKGROUND

Some of the most frequent manifestations of heart involvement in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection include right and left ventricular dysfunction. The pathogenesis remains obscure.

METHODS AND RESULTS

This prospective clinical and echocardiographic study involved 181 patients at all stages of HIV infection. We tested a set of clinical variables using a backward logistic regression model to assess their ability to independently predict the presence of ventricular dysfunction. The presence of pulmonary infections (all etiologies mixed) was the only variable independently associated with isolated right ventricular dysfunction (odds ratio = 4.08; P = .02). Signs suggestive of pulmonary arterial hypertension were present in 71% of the patients with right ventricular dilation. History of previous opportunistic infections (all etiologies mixed) (odds ratio = 10.9; P = .0026) and time since the diagnosis of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome more than 12 months (odds ratio = 6.6; P = .03) were the only two independent predictors of left ventricular dysfunction.

CONCLUSIONS

Isolated right ventricular dysfunction may be secondary to pulmonary hypertension caused by repetitive pulmonary infections and not to primary myocardial disease. The aggressive treatment of opportunistic infections may become an important element of heart failure prophylaxis in HIV infection because they may be associated with left ventricular dysfunction.

Heart muscle disease related to HIV infection: prognostic implications

OBJECTIVES

To determine the natural course of heart muscle disease in patients infected with HIV.

DESIGN

Prospective echocardiographic survey and observational study over four years.

SETTING

Edinburgh.

SUBJECTS

296 adults infected with HIV (mean age 32.7 years (range 21.5 to 67.6) drawn from all the major groups at risk of HIV infection in Britain.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Detection of myocardial dysfunction and time to death from index echocardiogram in serial echocardiography.

RESULTS

Cardiac dysfunction was identified in 44 subjects (dilated cardiomyopathy, 13; isolated right ventricular dysfunction, 12; borderline left ventricular dysfunction, 19). Dilated cardiomyopathy was strongly associated with a CD4 cell count of < 100 x 10(6)/l, in contrast with the other forms of cardiac dysfunction. During the study 12/13 (92%) subjects with dilated cardiomyopathy, 5/12 (42%) with right ventricular dysfunction, and 8/19 (42%) with borderline left ventricular function died of conditions related to AIDS. Survival was significantly reduced in the subjects with dilated cardiomyopathy compared with those with normal hearts (P < 0.001). The median survival from the index echocardiogram was 101 days (95% confidence interval 42 to 146) for the subjects with cardiomyopathy compared with 472 days (383 to 560) for those with normal hearts and a CD4 cell count of < 20 x 10(6)/l. No significant difference existed in survival for subjects with borderline left or isolated right ventricular dysfunction.

CONCLUSION

Even after adjustment for the significantly reduced CD4 cell count with which dilated cardiomyopathy is associated, the outlook for patients with HIV infection and dilated cardiomyopathy is poor. Isolated right and borderline left ventricular dysfunction are not associated with reduced CD4 cells counts and do not carry adverse prognostic implications.

Prevalence and incidence of left ventricular dysfunction in patients with human immunodeficiency virus infection

The prevalence and incidence of left ventricular (LV) dysfunction was examined in patients infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Sixty-nine randomly selected patients diagnosed with HIV infection who were followed in HIV clinics were prospectively evaluated by 2-dimensional echocardiography. Mean follow-up duration was 11 months. Additionally, 39 consecutive HIV-infected patients referred to the Cardiomyopathy Service and found to have LV dysfunction by 2-dimensional echocardiography were also studied. Of the 39 referred patients, 34 (87%) were referred for recent onset, unexplained, congestive heart failure. During this time, the HIV clinic population comprised 1,819 alive and actively followed patients; the 39 cardiomyopathy referrals therefore constituted a crude rate of 2.1% for this population. Of the 69 prospectively studied patients without clinical heart disease, a 14.5% prevalence of global LV hypokinesia and an incidence of 18%/patient-year were found. During a maximal 18-month follow-up period, 4 prospective patients (5.8%) developed symptoms of congestive heart failure. A greater proportion of prospective and referred patients with LV dysfunction had CD4 counts < 100/mm3 (62 and 79%, respectively) than did that of those without LV dysfunction (35%). In conclusion, the high rate of unexpected LV dysfunction in this HIV-infected population suggests that early cardiac contractile abnormalities may involve a significant number of patients, most of whom have low CD4 counts. A subgroup of these patients appears to progress to symptomatic congestive heart failure.