HIV-associated Infective Native Aortic Aneurysms

BackgroundHIV-associated infective native aortic aneurysms (INAA) constitute a subcategory of the disease INAA. This is a very rare group of patients.ObjectivesThe aim of this systematic literature review was to compile a description of patient characteristics with HIV-associated INAA.MethodsA systematic literature review was performed using the search terms HIV and aortic aneurysm in Ovid MEDLINE and Embase databases, on articles published between 1981-2022. Using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement, articles were scrutinised according to a predefined protocol including age, sex, co-morbidities, microbiological pathogens, CD4-count, HIV/AIDS state, aortic segment involved, treatment and outcome.ResultsThirty-three studies, all case reports with a total of 39 patients, were included. The median age was 48 years (range 27-79), most were male n=35 (90%), and the median follow-up was n=6 months (range 0-63). Cardiovascular comorbidity was present in n=1 (3%), median CD4-count was 216 (range 6-1236), and n=12 (31%) had AIDS. The most common microbiological pathogens were Treponema pallidum, n=12 (31%), Salmonella spp. n=10 (26%), Mycobacterium species n=5 (12%), and Staphylococcal spp. n=5 (13%). The HIV-associated INAAs were localized in the abdominal aorta n=32 (82%), in the thoracic aorta n=5 (13%) and in the thoraco-abdominal aorta n=2 (5%). Open surgery was performed in n=23 (59%) patients, endovascular aortic repair n=6 (15%), and n=7 (18%) did not receive surgery. Infection-related complications were reported in n=2 (7%) patients, both with postoperative development of fatal sepsis.ConclusionPatients with HIV-associated INAAs, were younger, had lower rate of cardiovascular comorbidity, demonstrated low CD4-counts as a measure of immunosuppression, and demonstrated diverse microbiological pathogens compared with other INAAs. Treponema Pallidum and Mycobacterium spp. were common pathogens, which are very rare microbiological pathogens in other INAAs