Determining the Effect of Abacavir on Platelet Activation
Status:
Completed
Trial end date:
2014-10-01
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
HIV positive patients have a two fold increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease
(such as heart attacks and strokes). Cardiovascular disease appears to be due in part to both
HIV and the side effects from anti-HIV medications.
Abacavir (an important component of current HIV treatment regimens) is one medication shown
to be associated with an increase the risk of heart attacks in some studies. The mechanism by
which abacavir does this is unknown.
We hypothesise that abacavir is leading to heart disease by interacting with platelets, which
then form blood clots within the arteries supplying the heart, the subsequent blockage of the
artery causing a heart attack.
This study aims to determine if abacavir increases the activity (or "stickiness") of
platelets, and thus provide evidence as to how it may be promoting heart attacks.
It will consist of 23 HIV positive men who currently have well controlled HIV. Participants
will take abacavir for 15 days in addition to their usual anti-HIV medications. A blood
sample to assess platelet activity will be taken at baseline, following the 15 days of
therapy (i.e. at the time of maximal abacavir effect) and again after a 28 day washout period
(to determine if any effects are reversible).