Introductio
The advent of new antiretroviral agents has dramatically reduced mortality and HIV- associated morbidity. In the highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) era, longterm side effects have been reported such as severe metabolic disorders and related acute cardiovascular complications including myocardial infarction, peripheral vascular disease, and stroke.
Prevention and therapeutics for cardiovascular complications in HIV-infected patients are a new and emerging challenge for physicians involved in HIV infection care because of the prolongation of survival and long-term complications of HAART. In the present overview, we discuss the clinical presentation, pathophysiology, prognosis, prevention, and treatment of coronary heart disease (CHD) in HIV-infected patients.The incidence of acute myocardial infarction in HIV-infected patients (HIV+) tends to be higher than in the general population [1,2] particularly in those undergoing HA- ART [3], including protease inhibitors [2, 4]. The relationship between coronary artery disease (CAD) and the use of protease inhibitors in HIV-infected patients is still under debate [5]. The epidemiology of CHD in HIV-infected patients is discussed in this volume in the chapter by M. Mary-Krause and D. Costagliola.