What happens to cardiovascular system behind the undetectable level of HIV viremia?

Abstract

Despite the combined antiretroviral therapy has improved the length and quality of life of HIV infected patients, the survival of these patients is always decreased compared with the general population. This is the consequence of non-infectious illnesses including cardio vascular diseases. In fact large studies have indicated an increased risk of coronary atherosclerotic disease, myocardial infarction even in HIV patients on cART. In HIV infected patients several factors may contribute to the pathogenesis of cardiovascular problems: life-style, metabolic parameters, genetic predisposition, viral factors, immune activation, chronic inflammation and side effects of antiretroviral therapy. The same factors may also contribute to complicate the clinical management of these patients. Therefore, treatment of these non-infectious illnesses in HIV infected population is an emerging challenge for physicians. The purpose of this review is to focus on the new insights in non AIDS-related cardiovascular diseases in patients with suppressed HIV viremia.