Key result
HIV on ART is linked to ~40% higher prevalence of Type-A arterial waveforms versus controls.
Why the study?
People living with HIV experience an increased risk of cardiovascular disease from HIV-related vascular injury, but arterial waveforms characterizing vascular dysfunction had not been compared between patients on ART and HIV-negative controls.
Does HIV infection on ART alter arterial waveform types compared to HIV-negative controls in Zambian adults?
Cross-Sectional (n=111)
No
Does HIV infection on ART alter arterial waveform types compared to HIV-negative controls in Zambian adults?
HIV status in adults on ART is associated with a shift toward Type-A arterial waveforms, indicating altered arterial function and increased vascular risk.
CVD prevention beyond ART remains necessary in PLWH; extends low-certainty evidence against full vascular benefit of therapy.
People living with HIV (PLWH) experience a greater risk of cardiovascular disease due to HIV-related vascular injury. Pulse waveform analysis can characterize arterial vascular dysfunction and this study compared arterial waveforms in PLWH on antiretroviral therapy (ART) with HIV-negative controls. In this cross-sectional study, participants were recruited from the University Teaching Hospitals, Lusaka (September 2018-June 2019). 55 PLWH on ART ≥2 years and 56 HIV-negative controls were recruited. Anthropometry, body composition, haemodynamics, and pressure waveforms were recorded using the Complior Analyze unit with their corresponding pulse wave velocities. Waveforms were classified by augmentation-index/pulse-pressure ratio as Types A (≥0.12), B (0-0.12), or C (<0). Appropriate parametric and nonparametric tests were used for analysis. Analysis of 111 waveforms showed Type-A predominance in PLWH (80% A, 3.6% B, 16.6% C) and HIV-negative controls (57% A, 8.9% B, 33.9% C). Fisher's Exact Test indicated an association between waveform type and HIV status (p = 0.037). Multinomial logistic regression revealed that PLWH were more likely to exhibit Type-A waveform than Type-B or C (Wald χ²(2) = 48.17, p < 0.001). HIV status is associated with a shift toward Type-A waveform, reflecting altered arterial function. Pulse waveform analysis may serve as a useful non-invasive tool for vascular risk profiling in PLWH.
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Chikopela et al. (2026) conducted a cross-sectional in HIV (n=111). HIV infection on antiretroviral therapy vs. HIV-negative controls was evaluated on Type-A arterial waveform (augmentation-index/pulse-pressure ratio ≥0.12) (p=0.037). HIV infection in adults on antiretroviral therapy was associated with a higher prevalence of Type-A arterial waveforms compared to HIV-negative controls (80% vs 57%, p=0.037).
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