Valuation of echocardiography in people living with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus: a narrative review

Abstract

Objective: To address the echocardiographic manifestations of Cardiovascular Diseases (CVD) in people living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection, with an emphasis on data that contribute to both early diagnosis and anticipation of complications. Bibliographic review: Currently, with modern Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) and prolongation of life expectancy of people living with HIV (PLHIV) with controlled HIV viral load, attention and care have been directed to combat chronic diseases and secondary complications, not infectious. Cardiac dysfunction in patients with HIV occur with variable frequency and diversity of clinical presentations and is one of the most common reasons for death in this population. The complex and multifactorial pathogenesis of HIV-associated cardiovascular complications involves traditional risk factors for CVD, deleterious effects of the virus, inflammatory status, and ART-related metabolic disturbances. Most of the changes detected by echocardiography remain asymptomatic during follow-up, suggesting a long period of subclinical cardiac changes. Final consideration: Echocardiography proves to be an important tool in the follow-up of patients with HIV for primary diagnosis and early detection of cardiovascular involvement, enabling timely treatment and improving the quality and life expectancy of patients.