ECG abnormalities reported by 44% of people older than 40 on ART: results from REPRIEVE study

Simon Collins, HIV i-Base

Results from the large international randomised REPRIEVE study looking at statin use for cardiovascular risks in the context of effective ART reported ECG abnormalities in 44% of participants (aged 40 and older).

The main study enrolled 7,750 participants between 2015 and 2019 and included ECG tests at baseline and follow-up visits.

Median age was 50 (IQR: 45 to 55) years, 69% were males with 43% Black or African American, 35% white, 15% Asian and 7% identified as other race. Most (97%) had baseline HIV viral load <400 copies/mL and median CD4 count was 620 cells/mm³ (IQR: 447 to 826).

Results included that: “nearly half of participants had at least one ECG abnormality (44%). QTc prolongation was more common among males than females (9% vs. 6%, p=0.001), and nearly twice as common among Asian participants (12%) compared with other racial groups (7%) (p<0.0001). Participants with viral load >400 copies/mL had approximately twice the odds of prolonged QTc compared to those that were undetectable (adjusted OR 2.05, 95% CI: 1.22 to 3.45).

Reference

Bloomfield GS et al. Prevalence and correlates of electrocardiographic abnormalities in adults with HIV: Insights from the randomized trial to prevent vascular events in HIV (REPRIEVE). JAIDS, doi: 10.1097/QAI.0000000000002877. (6 December 2021).
https://journals.lww.com/jaids/Abstract/9000/Prevalence_and_Correlates_of_Electrocardiographic.95753.aspx