H-ART to Heart Study
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The “H-ART to HEART” Study: Deep Cardiovascular Phenotyping of People with HIV on Anti-Retroviral Therapy at risk of Heart Disease
IRAS ID
244595
Contact name
Roby Rakhit
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Royal Free London NHS FoundationTrust
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 6 months, 29 days
Research summary
Description:
Although HIV cannot generally be cured, life expectancy for people living with HIV (PLWH) has improved dramatically over the last 20 years due to the introduction of combination antiretroviral therapy (ART). This has translated into a life expectancy for those on successful ART nearing that of the general population. However, non-AIDS illness still exists and is becoming more of a problem.Our data shows the average age for people having coronary intervention (stents inserted into narrowed or blocked heart arteries) is 53 years old in our HIV patients versus a national average of 64 years.
As cohorts of PLWH age there is evidence of increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), namely heart attacks and stroke. It is most probable that this increased CVD risk will inevitably lead to an increase in death rates due to this treatable cause if it is not addressed before symptoms arise.Goal:
To determine if we can detect early signs of CVD in PLWH on ART using state of the art screening tools currently used for individuals at high risk of CVD.
We propose to perform blood tests, and imaging using ultrasound, CT and MRI.
Potential benefits
If we are able to detect in this study the early signals of CVD using these novel technologies for PLWH on ART, we would plan a larger study to test the possibility of a screening programme and eventually demonstrate the significant benefits. We would proceed to recommend a pathway to be used in HIV and specialised HIV/Cardiology clinics nationally.
Currently, this is not routine clinical practice, but may lead to changes thereby enabling early interventions to prevent severe complications such as strokes and heart attacks, thereby reducing further economic healthcare costs associated with long-term CVD illness and death.REC name
East of England - Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
18/EE/0244
Date of REC Opinion
30 Oct 2018
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion