THE PREVALENCE OF VALVULAR HEART DISEASE IN PERSONS LIVING WITH HIV: A MIAMI HEALTH SYSTEM RETROSPECTIVE ANALYSIS

Abstract

Background The increased prevalence of major adverse cardiovascular events in Persons Living with HIV (PLWH) has been well documented. However, there remains a paucity of data relating to the epidemiology of valvular heart disease (VHD) in PLWH. Methods We performed a retrospective analysis on the prevalence and risks of VHD in 985 PLWH at our Special Immunology Clinic at the Jackson Memorial and University of Miami Hospitals from 2017-19. Demographic, clinical, and laboratory information, including viral load (VL) and CD4 counts, were obtained from retrospective review of the electronic health records. Transthoracic or transesophageal echocardiograms were reviewed in 258 PLWH to determine the presence of VHD. Results The mean (±SD) age of the cohort studied was 51.6 (±12.1) years old, of which 45.4% were women. The prevalence of Aortic Stenosis (AS) was 0.4%. Higher VL suppression was seen in patients with aortic sclerosis when compared to those without (31.6 vs. 631.0 copies/ml, p=0.038). There was no significant difference in viremic control (CD4 counts and VL) in patients with aortic stenosis, aortic insufficiency, mitral regurgitation or tricuspid regurgitation when compared respectively, to those without. Conclusion In this cross-sectional study of PLWH, the prevalence of VHD was similar to that reported in the general US population, while viremic control (CD4 counts and VL) did not differ significantly when compared to persons without VHD. HIV serostatus did not appear to have an effect on VHD. [Figure presented]