Impact of Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART) on HIV-Related Cardiomyopathy: A Retrospective Study

Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) has significantly improved outcomes in patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and may provide cardioprotective effects; however, its long-term impact on HIV-associated cardiomyopathy remains uncertain. Although short-term benefits have been reported, potential cardiovascular toxicity, particularly from protease inhibitors, warrants further investigation. This retrospective study evaluated HIV-infected patients with cardiomyopathy treated at five community hospitals in Michigan from 2015 to the present, examining changes in left ventricular ejection fraction (EF) following HAART therapy. Baseline EF measurements were obtained at or near the initiation of HAART, when available, although the exact timing varied across patients. EF changes were categorized as increased, unchanged, or decreased using a