Cardiovascular Risk in HIV Patients on Antiretroviral Therapy Therapy: The MHEART Study
Status:
Completed
Trial end date:
2016-01-01
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
CVD accounts for 15% of all deaths in Malawi. Both HIV and ART are risk factors for CVD
through direct toxic and inflammatory cardiovascular effects. (44,45). At the moment, one out
of every 10 Malawian is HIV positive and roughly 8 out of 10 of those infected are now on ART
(2). Therefore, HIV and ART may be contributing to the burden of CVD in Malawi. Currently,
there are only a few studies assessing CVD risk in the HIV patient population on ART. In
Malawi, no such studies exist. Therefore, the investigators propose a novel study assessing
baseline cardiovascular disease risk using two novel ultrasound technologies in HIV patients
on ART. Cardiovascular disease risk will be assessed using surrogate cardiovascular markers
of disease. These surrogates include markers of endothelial function and cardiovascular
modulating inflammatory biomarkers. The inflammatory biomarkers measured will be TNF-alpha,
IL-6, and CRP. Aspirin, by way of its antiplatelet and anti-inflammatory effect has been
demonstrated to inhibit atherosclerosis by way of decreasing TNF-alpha, IL-6, CRP and
improving endothelial function. Therefore a second aim of the study will be to demonstrate
that aspirin improves surrogate markers of atherosclerosis.
Phase:
Phase 1/Phase 2
Details
Lead Sponsor:
University of Pittsburgh
Collaborators:
Fogarty International Center of the National Institute of Health John E. Fogarty International Center (FIC) University of North Carolina