Heart Disease and CAD

[sadman44]

I have had a Triple Heart Bypass surgery in 2006, my Cholesterol and Metabolic panel were Normal, I've been diagnosed Poz since 1988 and been on probably every early drug available with resistant virus until the last 6 years great regimen. I was wondering if any one else has had these issues from HIV or drug related. My Dr. is not sure if HIV or drugs were involved but I am almost certain it contributed, I do have Family issues of Heart problems. Please Help?

[BT65]

Dear Sad, first of all, welcome. 

I have heard of some HAART causing heart problems, but I am not well versed with this matter.  Hopefully someone else can give you more information.

Hope to hear more from you.
Peace~
Betty

[sadman44]

Thanks Betty, I saw an article in AIDSMED the past month about Peripheral artery Disease but couldn't reply for some reason and lost the information. will search more.

[freestate guy]

Sadman - I had aortic stenosis (calcification of the aortic valve). The Ross Procedure was utilized to replace my aortic valve in September, 2003. I was 51 at the time. My open heart surgery was performed at Johns Hopkins. Basically, they replaced my aortic valve with my pulmonary valve and my pulmonary valve with that of a cadaver. I did the Ross Procedure, in part, because I was hesitant to complicate my already complicated HIV drug regimen with anti-coagulent drugs. For good measure, my surgeons did an additional single bypass since they were already in the neighborhood.  I almost died during the surgery (two separate cardiac arrests) and my docs thought that my HIV drugs (Kaletra/Truveda) may have interreacted with the anesthesiology drugs. I don't know.

My aortic stenosis was first diagnosed as a very moderate case in 1996. I had been on AZT etc since 1987. It did not become symptomatic until 2003 when I had fainting spells. In my case, the aortic stenosis was not congenital. In a non-congenital situation, aortic stenosis is most often associated with elderly individuals. Who knows whether HIV or the drugs were culprits here either as a cause or in the acceleration of the disease? My understanding is that the calcification that occurs with aortic stenosis is not associated with lipid elevations. Still, HIV/ HIV drugs clearly played a role in my heart treatment decisions and may have played a role in the way my surgery developed.  Open heart surgery/heart lung machines are new territory for us long term survivors on new drugs.

With regard to the bypass surgery, lipid elevations may have played a part in that. Having gone on Crixivan in 1996 and then Kaletra, my bad cholesterol and tryglicerides were elevated over an extended period of time.  But, I also have some family history there so who knows. I  just switched from Kaletra to Isentress, in part because of my concerns over medicinally induced lipid elevations and their effect on my cardiovascular health. Six weeks in, I am undetectable with no side effects on Isentress. The hope is that Isentress will not elevate lipids like many of the protease inhibitors. We will see as the patient population expands.

The good news is that we both have made it so far. It is a real challenge managing HIV and Heart disease and all the other related side conditions. I have been lucky to have wonderful support from my family and friends and some great docs along the way.

[David84]

Hey Sadman..
Sorry to hear of the bypass. Its been since '84 and beginning in 2002 I had my first stent for CAD. I am now up to 5 stents.and 2 heart attacks.(Too young for bypass according to Cardiologist).  Docs claim it was lipid build up from drugs. Have made lots of changes to meds since the inception and now have my cholesterol down to 160 with a clear stress echo in November. Its a bugger to manage two disease processes.. kinda damned if you do and damned if you dont. But remain patient and optimistic. Like recent articles, etc. we old timers are now starting to exhibit aging diseases as well. Whos to say.. All I know is it sure beats the alternative. Hang in there my friend...
Kindest Regards,
David

[aztecan]

Hey Sadman,

While I haven't had the cardiac complications as yet, they do run in my family. Since I was diagnosed with non-alcoholic steato hepatitis, probably as a result of the meds, I have been watching my fat intake as best I can in the hopes of offsetting it and preventing further complications.

I guess all we can do is continue to try.

HUGS,

Mark

[J.R.E.]

Thanks Betty, I saw an article in AIDSMED the past month about Peripheral artery Disease but couldn't reply for some reason and lost the information. will search more.

Hello,

I think this is the article you had read ( in Reference to PAD):


http://www.aidsmeds.com/articles/heart_disease_aids_1667_13771.shtml


Ray

[aztecan]

Here is another news story regarding this that add yet another facet to the disucussion.

http://www.aidsmeds.com/articles/hiv_abacavir_heart_1667_13940.shtml

While Abacavir may be a preferred drug now, it seems it also has a darker side.

HUGS,

Mark