Background
Coronary artery disease (CAD) has been associated with HIV infection; however data are not consistent.
Objective
We performed cardiac CT to determine whether HIV-infected men have more coronary atherosclerosis than uninfected men.
Design
Cross-sectional study within the Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study(MACS).
Participants
HIV-infected (n=618) and –uninfected (n=383) men who have sex with men (MSM) had non-contrast and contrast enhanced cardiac CT if they were between 40–70 years, weighed <300 pounds, and had no history of coronary revascularization.
Measurements
Presence and extent, for those with plaque, of coronary artery calcium (CAC) on non-contrast CT, and of any plaque, non-calcified, mixed or calcified plaque and stenosis on CT angiography.
Results
1001 men underwent non-contrast CT of whom 759 had coronary CT angiography. After adjusting for age, race, center, and cohort, HIV-infected men had a greater prevalence of CAC [Prevalence ratio(PR)=1.21, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.08–1.35, p=0.001], and any plaque [PR=1.14(1.05–1.24),p=0.001], including non-calcified plaque [PR=1.28(1.13–1.45),p<0.001) and mixed plaque [PR=1.35(1.10–1.65),p=0.004] than HIV-uninfected men. Associations between HIV-infection and any plaque and non-calcified plaque remained significant (p<0.005) after CAD risk factor adjustment. HIV-infected men also had a greater extent of non-calcified plaque after CAD risk factor adjustment (p=0.026). HIV-infected men had a greater prevalence of coronary artery stenosis>50% than HIV-uninfected men [PR=1.48(1.06–2.07),p=0.020), but not after CAD risk factor adjustment. Longer duration of highly active antiretroviral therapy [PR=1.09(1.02–1.17), p=0.007,per year] and lower nadir CD4+ T-cell count [PR=0.80(0.69–0.94),p=0.005, per 100 cells] were associated with coronary stenosis>50%.
Conclusions
Coronary artery plaque, especially non-calcified plaque, is more prevalent and extensive in HIV-infected men, independent of CAD risk factors.
Limitations
Cross-sectional observational study design and inclusion of only men.
Primary Funding Source
NHLBI and NIAID