The Impact of HIV/AIDS on The Cardiovascular System - A Review of Current Trends.

Abstract

he Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection is undoubtedly one of the most significant pandemics the world has known with its effect spanning over three decades now. Initial emphasis in the management of the condition was on opportunistic infections, but the introduction of Highly Active Anti Retroviral Therapy (HAART) has led to longer survival times for HIV patients and converted the infection to a chronic manageable illness like systemic hypertension or diabetes mellitus. Hence, unlike the situation at the emergence of the pandemic, patients now live long enough to develop organ-related complications and it is believed that managing these will soon dominate the care of patients. We review the literature on current knowledge and trends in the involvement of the heart in HIV infection.