Human immunodeficiency virus and beta-thalassemia major: A "competition of guilt" for pulmonary arterial hypertension. Report of a case and a review of the literature

Hemoglobin. 2010;34(1):61-6. doi: 10.3109/03630260903547765.

Abstract

We report a case of a 43-year-old woman, affected by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and beta-thalassemia major (beta-TM), adequately treated with antiretroviral and transfusion-chelation therapy, that develops progressive right ventricular dysfunction due to severe pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), in absence of symptoms. The existence of both HIV and beta-TM cardiomiopathy has recently been reported, but how these two diseases have a "competition of guilt" for creating PAH is still to be understood. The main physiopathological principles regarding HIV and beta-TM associated PAH are reviewed. The possible interplay between these two different pathologies is discussed.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Anti-HIV Agents / therapeutic use
  • Blood Transfusion
  • Chelating Agents / therapeutic use
  • Female
  • HIV Infections / complications*
  • HIV Infections / epidemiology
  • HIV Infections / physiopathology
  • Humans
  • Hypertension, Pulmonary / etiology*
  • Hypertension, Pulmonary / physiopathology
  • Hypertension, Pulmonary / therapy
  • beta-Thalassemia / complications*
  • beta-Thalassemia / epidemiology
  • beta-Thalassemia / physiopathology

Substances

  • Anti-HIV Agents
  • Chelating Agents