Association of Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy With Increased Arterial Stiffness in Patients Infected With Human Immunodeficiency Virus

Abstract

"HIV-infected" individuals have increased arterial stiffness compared to healthy controls. Patients on antiretroviral therapy have similarities regarding their arterial elastic properties with patients with untreated hypertension. There is an independent association between duration of antiretroviral therapy, cholesterol levels, and blood pressure with increased arterial stiffness in "HIV-infected" patients.