Pathogenesis of HIV-associated cardiovascular complications

Reviews and studies published before the introduction of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) have tracked the incidence and course of HIV infection in relation to cardiac illness in both children andadults. The introduction of HAART regimens has significantly modified the course of HIV disease, with longer survival rates and improvement of life quality in HIV-infected people expected. However, early data raised concerns about HAART being associatedwith an increase in both peripheral and coronary arterial diseases. In this review we discuss HIV-associated cardiovascular complications focusingon pathogenetic mechanisms that could have a rolein diagnosis, management, and therapy of these complications in the HAART era.