Pericoronary Adipose Tissue Density, Inflammation, and Subclinical Coronary Artery Disease Among People With HIV in the REPRIEVE Cohort

Background: Pericoronary adipose tissue (PCAT) may influence plaque development through inflammatory mechanisms. We assessed PCAT density, as a measure of pericoronary inflammation, in relationship to coronary plaque among people with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV [PWH]) and to a matched control population.

Methods: In this baseline analysis of 727 participants of the Randomized Trial to Prevent Vascular Events in HIV (REPRIEVE) Mechanistic Substudy, we related computed tomography-derived PCAT density to presence and extent (Leaman score) of coronary artery disease (CAD), noncalcified plaque, coronary artery calcium (CAC), and vulnerable plaque features using multivariable logistic regression analyses. We further compared the PCAT density between PWH and age, sex, body mass index, CAC score, and statin use-matched controls from the community-based Framingham Heart Study (N = 464), adjusting for relevant clinical covariates.

Results: Among 727 REPRIEVE participants (age 50.8 ± 5.8 years; 83.6% [608/727] male), PCAT density was higher in those with (vs without) coronary plaque, noncalcified plaque, CAC >0, vulnerable plaque, and high CAD burden (Leaman score >5) (P < .001 for each comparison). PCAT density related to prevalent coronary plaque (adjusted odds ratio [per 10 HU]: 1.44; 95% confidence interval, 1.22-1.70; P < .001), adjusted for clinical cardiovascular risk factors, body mass index, and systemic immune/inflammatory biomarkers. Similarly, PCAT density related to CAC >0, noncalcified plaque, vulnerable plaque, and Leaman score >5 (all P ≤ .002). PCAT density was greater among REPRIEVE participants versus Framingham Heart Study (-88.2 ± 0.5 HU versus -90.6 ± 0.4 HU; P < .001).

Conclusions: Among PWH in REPRIEVE, a large primary cardiovascular disease prevention cohort, increased PCAT density independently associated with prevalence and severity of coronary plaque, linking increased coronary inflammation to CAD in PWH.