Myocardial Fibrosis among Antiretroviral Therapy-Treated Persons with Human Immunodeficiency Virus in South Africa

Background: Heart failure is a prominent cardiovascular disease (CVD) manifestation in sub-Sarahan Africa. Myocardial fibrosis is a central feature of heart failure that we aimed to characterize among persons with human immunodeficiency virus (PWH) in South Africa. Methods: Cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging was performed among PWH with viral suppression and uninfected controls, both free of known CVD. Plasma levels of N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) were measured. Comparisons by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) status were made using linear and logistic regression, adjusted for age, sex, and hypertension. Results: One hundred thirty-four PWH and 95 uninfected persons completed CMR imaging; age was 50 and 49 years, with 63% and 67% female, respectively. Compared with controls, PWH had greater myocardial fibrosis by extracellular volume fraction ([ECV] absolute difference, 1.2%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.1-2.3). In subgroup analyses, the effect of HIV status on ECV was more prominent among women. Women (vs controls) were also more likely to have elevated NT-proBNP levels (>125 pg/mL; odds ratio, 2.4; 95% CI, 1.0-6.0). Among all PWH, an elevated NT-proBNP level was associated with higher ECV (3.4% higher; 95% CI, 1.3-5.5). Conclusions: Human immunodeficiency virus disease may contribute to myocardial fibrosis, with an effect more prominent among women. Research is needed to understand heart failure risk among PWH within sub-Saharan Africa.