[Percutaneous coronary intervention in HIV infected patients with human immunodeficiency virus admitted with acute coronary syndrome: case-control study]

Introduction: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) has been linked in recent years with a higher rate of cardiovascular events. The aim of our study was to analyze the main risk factors associated with the onset of an acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and in-hospital prognosis in patients with HIV, undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Patients and methods: We studied the baseline clinical characteristics, angiographic findings, results of PCI and in-hospital outcome in 23 patients with HIV hospitalized for an ACS between September 2006 and March 2009. The results were compared with 60 HIV-negative patients admitted with an ACS.

Results: HIV patients showed a lower average age and a higher rate of smoking. From a clinical point of view there were no statistically significant differences in clinical presentation, with a similar incidence of ACS with or without ST segment elevation ACS. HIV patients presented a non significant higher incidence of cardiogenic shock on admission (13% HIV vs 8% HIV negative, p 0,301). HIV-negative patients angiography showed the most calcified multivessel involvement with the highest number of diseased vessels (2.35 vs. 1.45, p<0.001). PCI results: HIV patients presented a lower rate of success (TIMI 3 final); 75% versus 85% in HIV-negative patients (p=0.105). There was no significant difference in hospital mortality (8.7 vs 1.7%, p=0.129).

Conclusions: HIV patients hospitalized for an ACS, despite being younger and presenting lower prevalence of traditional cardiovascular risk factors, did not present differences in terms of cardiovascular mortality compared with HIV negative patients.