A study on Prevalence of Cardiac Abnormalities in patients attending ART Centre, Thanjavur Medical College & Hospital (TMCH) and their correlation with stage of infection

INTRODUCTION: Heart diseases can be overlooked in HIV positive patients because symptoms of breathlessness, fatigue and poor exercise intolerance are frequently ascribed to other conditions associated with HIV infection. Early recognition and prompt treatment of cardiac diseases can prevent significant mortality and morbidity in HIV patients. AIMS AND OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence of heart diseases in HIV infected patient for decreasing those complications through early diagnosis. STUDY DESIGN: Cross sectional study. METHODOLOGY: A total of 100 patients who were sero positive were included in the study out of which 8 patients were excluded. Study was conducted from January 2016 to June 2016. The patients were divided into 4 groups according to their stage of infection. All patients were subjected to thorough clinical examination and investigation to assess the prevalence of cardiac abnormalities and their correlation with stage of infection was attempted. OBSERVATION AND RESULTS: Prevalence of cardiac abnormalities was 32.60% in our study. 20 (21.73%) patients had Electrocardiographic abnormalities. 18 (19.56%) patients had Echocardiographic abnormalities. Poor progression R waves was the most common electro cardiographic abnormality. Diastolic dysfunction was the most common Echocardiographic abnormality. Significant correlation was found between stage of infection, CD4 count and duration of infection with cardiac abnormalities. CONCLUSION: The determination of incidence and prevalence of cardiac abnormalities in HIV infected individuals using non invasive tests is quite feasible and should be done in all patients registering in ART centre. Screening of cardiac abnormalities in HIV patient to identify early cardiac involvement and minimize cardiac complication by early intervention