Study of Cardiac Manifestations in Patients of Hiv Infection - A One Year Cross Sectional Study at Kles Dr Prabhakar Kore Hospital, Belgaum

Abstract

Background and objectives The advances in diagnosis, treatment, monitoring of HIV infection and the availability of antiretroviral drugs have lead to improved survival of patients but this has resulted in manifestations of late stage disease including cardiac manifestations. This study was intended to find out the cardiac manifestations in HIV patients and to correlate them with CD4 count. Methodology This one year study was done from January 2013 to December 2014 in the Department of Medicine of a tertiary care centre in North Karnataka. Prior to the commencement, ethical clearance was obtained. A total of 100 consecutive patients presenting HIV infection with or without opportunistic infections were studied. Patients were subjected to complete blood count and lipid profile. Cardiac manifestations were assessed by electrocardiography and 2D echocardiography. Results Majority of the patients were males (76%) and the commonest age group was 31 to 40 years (36%). The CD4 count was found to be <50/cum in 43% of the patients. Cardiac manifestations were present in 57% of the patients. Sinus tachycardia was the commonest cardiac manifestation observed on ECG (25%). The other prominent cardiac manifestations included dilated cardiomyopathy (18%) and pericardial effusion (15%). The diastolic and systolic dysfunction was noted in 8% and pulmonary arterial hypertension in 3%. Few patients had valvular heart disease and pulmonary embolism (2% each). Cardiac manifestations were significantly high in patients with CD4 count <50/cum (74.42%; p=0.002). Conclusion and interpretation Patients with HIV infection are at higher risk of developing cardiac manifestations and reduced CD4 count poses maximum risk.