Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection and Risk of Heart Failure Rehospitalizations

Risk of death and readmission among individuals with heart failure and HIV: A systematic review and meta-analysis

The association between human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) status and readmissions and death outcomes in patients with established heart failure (HF) remains unclear. We conducted a systematic search of PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science up to March 1st, 2023, for cohort studies of adult patients (≥18 years) diagnosed with HF and recorded HIV status at baseline. Our analysis included 7 studies with 10,328 HF patients living with HIV and 48,757 HF patients without HIV. Compared to HF patients without HIV, those with HIV had a higher risk of all-cause deaths (HR: 1.20, 95% CI: 1.15-1.25). HIV infection was also associated with increased risks of HF-associated readmission (HR: 1.34, 95% CI: 1.03-1.75) and all-cause readmission (HR: 1.27, 95% CI: 1.10-1.46). Our study highlights the independent association between HIV and poor HF outcomes, emphasizing the need for improved management in individuals living with HIV.

Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection-Associated Cardiomyopathy and Heart Failure

The landscape of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) epidemiology and treatment is ever-changing, with the widespread and evolving use of antiretroviral therapy (ART). With timely ART, people living with HIV (PLWH) are nearing the life expectancies and the functionality of the general population; nevertheless, the effects of HIV and ART on cardiovascular health remain under investigation. The pathophysiology of HIV-related cardiomyopathy and heart failure (HF) have historically been attributed to systemic inflammation and changes in cardiometabolic function and cardiovascular architecture. Importantly, newer evidence suggests that ART also plays a role in modulating the process of HIV-related cardiomyopathy and HF. In the short term, newer highly active ART (HAART) seems to have cardioprotective effects; however, emerging data on the long-term cardiovascular outcomes of certain HAART medications, i.e., protease inhibitors, raise concerns about the potential adverse effects of these drugs in the clinical course of HIV-related HF. As such, the traditional phenotypes of dilated cardiomyopathy and left ventricular systolic failure that are associated with HIV-related heart disease are incrementally being replaced with increasing rates of diastolic dysfunction and ischemic heart disease. Moreover, recent studies have found important links between HIV-related HF and other clinical and biochemical entities, including depression, which further complicate cardiac care for PLWH. Considering these trends in the era of ART, the traditional paradigms of HIV-related cardiomyopathy and HF are being called into question, as is the therapeutic role of interventions such as ventricular assist devices and heart transplantation. In all, the mechanisms of HIV-related myocardial damage and the optimal approaches to the prevention and the treatment of cardiomyopathy and HF in PLWH remain under investigation.

Prevention of heart failure, tachyarrhythmias and sudden cardiac death in HIV

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

To summarize the state-of-the-art literature on the epidemiology, disease progression, and mediators of heart failure, tachyarrhythmias, and sudden cardiac death in people living with HIV (PLWH) to inform prevention strategies.

RECENT FINDINGS

Recent studies corroborate the role of HIV as a risk enhancer for heart failure and arrhythmias, which persists despite adjustment for cardiovascular risk factors and unhealthy behaviors. Immune activation and inflammation contribute to the risk. Heart failure occurs more frequently at younger ages, and among women and ethnic minorities living with HIV, highlighting disparities. Prospective outcome studies remain sparse in PLWH limiting prevention approaches. However, subclinical cardiac and electrophysiologic remodeling and dysfunction detected by noninvasive testing are powerful disease surrogates that inform our mechanistic understanding of HIV-associated cardiovascular disease and offer opportunities for early diagnosis.

SUMMARY

Aggressive control of HIV viremia and cardiac risk factors and abstinence from unhealthy behaviors remain treatment pillars to prevent heart failure and arrhythmic complications. The excess risk among PLWH warrants heightened vigilance for heart failure and arrhythmic symptomatology and earlier testing as subclinical abnormalities are common. Future research needs include identifying novel therapeutic targets to prevent heart failure and arrhythmias and testing of interventions in diverse groups of PLWH.

Readmissions among People Living with HIV Admitted for Hypertensive Emergency

OBJECTIVES

People with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are at an increased risk of developing cardiovascular diseases. Hypertensive emergency (HTNE), a complication of hypertension with potentially serious health implications, has high healthcare utilization. We attempted to determine the association between HIV status and risk for 30-day readmission after index hospitalization for HTNE.

METHODS

We used the Nationwide Readmissions Database to identify all of the admissions during 2010-2017 with a primary discharge diagnosis of HTNE. Admissions were stratified by HIV status and comparisons were made with the χ² test. We investigated predictors of all-cause 30-day readmission via multivariable logistic regression.

RESULTS

A total of 612,854 hospitalizations with a primary discharge diagnosis of HTNE were identified, and 4115 (0.7%) were HIV positive. There was a total of 43,937 (7.16%) 30-day readmissions, and the rate was higher in regard to positive HIV status (29.8% vs 15.0%; P < 0.001). Renal failure was the most frequent reason for HIV readmissions and the second most frequent reason for non-HIV readmissions (15.6% vs 10.3%; P < 0.001). In contrast, heart failure was the most frequent reason for non-HIV readmissions and the second most frequent reason for HIV readmissions (10.3% vs 11.9%; P = 0.234). There was a higher median cost for HIV readmissions in comparison to non-HIV readmissions ($7660 vs $7490; P < 0.001). Finally, HIV was attributed to 40.6% increased odds of readmission after adjusting for pertinent clinical and demographic factors (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

HIV-positive status is associated with an increased risk for 30-day readmission after index hospitalization for HTNE.

Risk factors and management of pulmonary infection in elderly patients with heart failure: A retrospective analysis

ABSTRACT

Pulmonary infection is common in patients with heart failure, yet the risk factors remain unclear. We aimed to evaluate the clinical characteristics and risk factors of pulmonary infection in elderly patients with heart failure, to provide reference to the prevention of pulmonary infection.This study was a retrospective study design. We included elderly heart failure patient admitted to our hospital from April 1, 2018 to August 31, 2020. The characteristics and clinical data of pulmonary infection and no infection patients were assessed. Logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify the risk factors of pulmonary infections in patients with heart failure.A total of 201 patients were included. The incidence of pulmonary infection in patients with heart failure was 23.88%. There were significant differences in the age, diabetes, New York Heart Association (NYHA) grade, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), C-reactive protein (CRP) between infection and no infection group (all P < .05), and there were not differences in the sex, body mass index, alcohol drinking, smoking, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, length of hospital stay between 2 groups (all P > .05). Logistic regression analyses indicated that age ≥70 years, diabetes, NYHA grade III, LVEF ≤55%, and CRP ≥10 mg/L were the independent risk factors of pulmonary infections in patients with heart failure (all P < .05). Pseudomonas aeruginosa (34.48%), Staphylococcus aureus (19.57%), and Klebsiella pneumoniae (15.22%) were the most common 3 pathogens in patients with pulmonary infection.Heart failure patients with age ≥70 years, diabetes, NYHA grade III, LVEF ≤55%, and CRP ≥10 mg/L have higher risks of pulmonary infections, preventive measures targeted on those risk factors are needed to reduce pulmonary infections.

Heart Failure Outcomes and Associated Factors Among Veterans With Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection

OBJECTIVES

This study sought to investigate outcomes of heart failure (HF) in veterans living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

BACKGROUND

Data on outcomes of HF among people living with human immunodeficiency virus (PLHIV) are limited.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective cohort study of Veterans Health Affairs data to investigate outcomes of HF in PLHIV. We identified 5,747 HIV+ veterans with diagnosis of HF from 2000 to 2018 and 33,497 HIV- frequency-matched controls were included. Clinical outcomes included all-cause mortality, HF hospital admission, and all-cause hospital admission.

RESULTS

Compared with HIV- veterans with HF, HIV+ veterans with HF were more likely to be black (56% vs. 14%), be smokers (52% vs. 29%), use alcohol (32% vs. 13%) or drugs (37% vs. 8%), and have a higher comorbidity burden (Elixhauser comorbidity index 5.1 vs. 2.6). The mean ejection fraction (EF) (45 ± 16%) was comparable between HIV+ and HIV- veterans. HIV+ veterans with HF had a higher age-, sex-, and race-adjusted 1-year all-cause mortality (30.7% vs. 20.3%), HF hospital admission (21.2% vs. 18.0%), and all-cause admission (50.2% vs. 38.5%) rates. Among veterans with HIV and HF, those with low CD4 count (<200 cells/ml) and high HIV viral load (>75 copies/μl) had worse outcomes. The associations remained statistically significant after adjusting for extensive list of covariates. The incidence of all-cause mortality and HF admissions was higher among HIV+ veterans with ejection fraction <45% CONCLUSIONS: HIV+ veterans with HF had higher risk of hospitalization and mortality compared with their HIV- counterparts, with worse outcomes reported for individuals with lower CD4 count, higher viral load, and lower ejection fraction.