Left main coronary artery disease in a 40-year-old man receiving HIV protease inhibitors

Cardiac surgery in patients infected with the human immunodeficiency virus

BACKGROUND

Highly active antiretroviral therapy has dramatically impacted the natural history of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and may be associated with lipodystrophy and accelerated coronary artery disease. Patients with HIV are consequently increasingly likely to present for cardiac surgery.

METHODS

A retrospective review of 37 consecutive patients at two integrated centers from 1994 to 2000 was conducted. Standard database and follow-up information was supplemented with data on opportunistic infections, CD4 count, viral load, New York Heart Association status, and angina status. Risk to operating room personnel was also reviewed.

RESULTS

Median age was 41 years; 34 of 37 patients were male. Operations performed were coronary artery bypass graft ([CABG] 27), aortic valve replacement ([AVR] 4), AVR/CABG (2), AVR/mitral valve repair (1), mitral valve repair (1), excision of atrial masses (1), and tricuspid valve repair (1). Complications included death in 1 of 37 (2.7%), sepsis in 2 of 37 (5.4%), deep sternal infection in 1 of 37 (2.7%), bleeding in 2 of 37 (5.4%), prolonged ventilation in 2 of 37 (5.4%), and readmission in 8 of 37 (21.6%). Actuarial freedom from a composite end point of angina, death, myocardial infarction, repeat revascularization, and congestive heart failure was 81% at 3 years with no late deaths. Preoperative and follow-up CD4 counts and viral loads were not significantly different at a mean follow-up of 28 months. No patients progressed from HIV positive status to AIDS during the study period. Six "needle stick" injuries requiring antiretroviral prophylaxis occurred in 5 caregivers without seroconversion.

CONCLUSIONS

In selected patients infected with HIV, risks and outcomes of cardiac surgery are acceptable. With concomitant highly active antiretroviral therapy, intermediate HIV and cardiac status appear to be favorable. Needle stick injuries occur at a rate mandating optimal reduction of patient viral loads preoperatively.

HIV-associated coronary artery disease

Cases, case series, and related articles on coronary artery disease in patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) identified through a comprehensive literature search were examined for clinical characteristics and angiographic findings of HIV-associated coronary artery disease. Among 129 identified cases, 91% were males. The mean age was 42.3 +/- 10.2 (SD) years (range, 23 to 77 years). The interval between the diagnosis of HIV infection and the diagnosis of coronary artery disease was 72 +/- 60 (SD) months. Degree of immunosuppression was variable (CD4 mean, 313 +/- 209 cells/mm3; range, 6-1070 cells/mm3). There was no correlation between the CD4 cell count and the development and progression of coronary artery disease. Similarly, the development and progression of coronary artery disease was independent of the presence of HIV-related opportunistic infections. Acute myocardial infarction was the initial presentation in 77% of patients. In 76 patients, information on diseased vessels was available: 36 (47%) patients had 3-vessel disease, 14 (18%) patients had 2-vessel disease, and 26 patients (35%) had 1-vessel disease. The left anterior descending artery was involved in 47 (62%) patients while the left circumflex and right coronary arteries were involved in 34 (45%) and 38 (50%) patients, respectively. Thirty-two (25%) patients underwent catheter-based or surgical revascularization. Data were not adequate to assess the prognosis following the acute coronary events or revascularization. The histologic characteristics unique to HIV-associated coronary arteriopathy were diffuse circumferential involvement of the vessel with an unusual proliferation of smooth muscle cells, mixed with abundant elastic fibers, resulting in endoluminal protrusions. Coronary artery disease was a late complication of AIDS.