Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Coronary Atherosclerotic Plaque Formation: A Review

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is a global concern that infects a large number of people around the world; and it is associated with a broad spectrum of morbidities which can affect several human organs. Coronary artery disease is one of the serious morbidities associated with HIV infection which is able to induce a high mortality rate. In this systematic review, we aimed to review articles investigating the associations between HIV infection and subclinical coronary artery atherosclerosis. 37 studies have been reviewed that included an overall number of 7308 participants (6126 of them HIV+). From 16 studies that compared coronary artery atherosclerosis in HIV+ versus HIV negative patients, only 2 cross-sectional studies reported no difference between HIV positive and negative individuals. Our systematic review strongly recommends an association between HIV infection and/or its therapeutic agents and coronary artery plaque formation and progression. Further studies with prospective approaches would more strongly confirm our conclusion.