Epicardial Adipose Tissue Volume and Cardiovascular Risk Indices among Asymptomatic Women with and without HIV. Issue 1 (January 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Srinivasa, Suman; Lu, Michael T; Fitch, Kathleen V; Hallett, Travis R; O'Malley, Timothy K; Stone, Lauren A; Martin, Amanda; Coromilas, Alexandra J; Burdo, Tricia H; Triant, Virginia A; Lo, Janet; Looby, Sara E; Neilan, Tomas G; Zanni, Markella V
• Is Part Of: Antiviral therapy. Volume 23:Issue 1(2018)
• Page Start: 1
• Page End: 9
• Publication Date: 2018-01
• Subjects: Antiviral agents -- Periodicals; Antiviral Agents -- therapeutic use; Virus Diseases -- therapy; Viruses -- drug effects; Antiviral agents; Periodical; Electronic journals; Periodicals; 616.9106
• DOI: 10.3851/IMP3193
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1359-6535

Abstract

Background: Mechanisms underlying the heightened myocardial infarction risk among HIV-infected women (versus non-HIV-infected women) remain unclear. Our objectives were to assess epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) volume and its associations among asymptomatic women with and without HIV. Methods: A total of 55 HIV-infected and 27 non-HIV-infected women without known cardiovascular disease who underwent cardiac CT and metabolic/immune phenotyping were included. EAT volume derived from CT was compared among women with and without HIV, and within-group EAT associations were assessed. Next, immune and atherosclerotic plaque parameters were compared among groups stratified by HIV serostatus and high/low EAT (defined in reference to median EAT for each serostatus group). Results: Asymptomatic HIV-infected women and age-matched non-HIV-infected women with comparable mean body mass index (28 ±1 versus 29 ±1 kg/m 2 ) had similar median (IQR) volumes of EAT (54 [41–79] versus 65 [41–78] cm 3 ; P >0.05); however, different within-group associations were noted. Markers of monocyte activation/arterial inflammation differed by HIV serostatus/EAT volume subgroup (CXCL10 [ P =0.02], sCD163 [ P =0.004], sCD14 [ P =0.03], Lp-PLA2 [ P =0.04]; P for overall ANOVA) and were highest among HIV-infected women with excess EAT (versus HIV-infected women without excess EAT, non-HIV-infected women with excess EAT and non-HIV-infected women without excess EAT). The percentage of segments with non-calcified coronary plaque also differed by HIV serostatus/EAT volume subgroup and was highest among HIV-infected women with excess EAT. Conclusions: Asymptomatic women with and without HIV have similar volumes of EAT, but drivers of EAT may differ between groups. HIV-infected women with excess EAT have highest-level immune activation and the highest percentage of non-calcified plaque. Future studies are needed to determine whether EAT contributes pathogenetically to HIV-associated cardiovascular disease in women.