Evaluation of Right Ventricular Diastolic Function among HIV-1-Infected Patients on Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy and its Relationship with CD4 Cell Count and Viral Load

Context: With the introduction of highly active antiretroviral therapy, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) patients live longer and therefore develop complications such as cardiovascular diseases. The prevalence of left ventricular diastolic dysfunction among HIV-infected patients ranges from 2.7% to 64%. Data on right ventricular diastolic function among HIV-infected patients in our region of northeastern Nigeria are lacking. Aims: We therefore assessed right ventricular diastolic function among HIV-infected patients on highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among HIV-infected patients receiving HAART at the Federal Medical Centre Nguru, Yobe State, Northeastern Nigeria. Tricuspid flow E/A ratio, right ventricular deceleration time, and tissue Doppler E/e ’ waves were used to assess the right ventricular diastolic function. Results: One hundred and seven subjects were recruited into the study comprising 70 (65.4%) females and 37 (34.6%) males. The prevalence of right ventricular diastolic dysfunction is 12.15%. CD4 cell count correlated positively with right ventricular deceleration time and negatively with tricuspid E/A ratio. Viral load correlated positively with the tricuspid E/A ratio and negatively with the tricuspid E/e ratio and right ventricular deceleration time. Conclusion: Right ventricular diastolic dysfunction is not uncommon among HIV-infected patients in northeastern Nigeria; its prevalence was found to be 12.15%, and there was a significant positive correlation between right ventricular deceleration time and CD4 cell count and a significant negative correlation between right ventricular deceleration time and viral load, suggesting that lower CD4 cell count and higher viral load are associated with worsening right ventricular diastolic function.