Abstract

SERUM LEVELS OF CARDIAC MARKERS AND CD4 COUNTS IN HIV/AIDS SUBJECTS IN PRE AND POST 12 MONTHS ANTIRETROVIRAL THERAPY USING 1.5 NG/ML TROPONIN DIAGNOSTIC CUT-OFF FOR MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION IN NAUTH NNEWI, SOUTH EASTERN NIGERIA

Ifeoma Priscilla Ezeugwunne*, Obinna David Ibemere, Nwanneka Victoria Elosiuba, Blessing K. Myke-Mbata, Ikedichukwu Chibueze Ejiogu, Victor Nwabunwanne Oguaka and Joseph Eberendu Ahaneku

ABSTRACT

HIV causes Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome AIDS by invading the host cells and depleting the immune system. HIV infection has been documented to influence antiviral drugs and affect many organs of the body. It has been reported that acute myocardial infarction might occur at 1.5 ng/ml troponin level. Information on cardiac status in HIV infected subjects in Nigeria is scanty. The aim is to evaluate the serum cardiac markers in HIV subjects, in pre- and post- 12 months antiretroviral therapy (ART) using 1.5ng/ml troponin diagnostic cut-off for myocardial infarction. A total of 30 HIV subjects not on ART devoid of malaria co-infection were followed up on commencement of ART for 12 months. Their blood samples were drawn at 3, 6, 9 and 12 months for some cardiac markers and CD4 analyses using standard laboratory methods. Cardiac parameters were re-classified based on 1.5 ng/ml troponin diagnostic cut-off for myocardial infection. The results that as month of antiretroviral therapy deepened, the numbers of HIV positive subjects with values higher than the troponin diagnostic value reduces when compared with those before therapy (p<0.05). The serum levels of myoglobin, serum activities of T-CK, CK-MB, LDH and CD4 counts were significantly reduced as length of ART lengthened at p<0.05, thereby may reduce myocardial infarction reduces. The serum levels of myoglobin, serum activities of T-CK, CK-MB, LDH and CD4 counts were significantly reduced as length of ART lengthened in HIV positives. This may indicate possible cardio- protective effect of the drug on the heart, which may connote immune recovery.

Keywords: HIV, Cardiac markers, CD4, ART.