Objective:To determine the prevalence and factors associated with left ventricular diastolic dysfunction (LVDD) in children aged between 18 months and 14 years with HIV/AIDS.
Method: echocardiography was performed on 90 children with HIV/AIDS and their age and gender matched healthy controls.
Results: Forty three (47.8%) of the HIV/AIDS patients had LVDD.This was more pronounced in the AIDS group with all (100%) affected, compared to HIV+carriers (36.5%) and controls (2.2%), p = 0.03. The E/A ratio increased from 1.90±0.56 m/s in the carrier group to 2.09±0.46m/s in AIDS group, p=0.01. Left ventricular isovolumic relaxation time increased from 79.40 ± 20.12m/s (HIV carrier group) to 110.40 ± 10.12m/s (AIDS group), p=0.04, and deceleration time (DT) increased from 184.66 ± 76.27 m/s (HIV carrier group) to 230.66±36.27 (AIDS group), p=0.02. A restrictive filling pattern was the most described in both groups. Positive correlation was found between body surface area and LVDD. Stepwise linear regression analysis showed this to be the predictor of LVDD. In the HIV group, total white cell count correlated negatively with LVDD, while in the AIDS group, age correlated positively with LVDD (r = -0.459, p = 0.024 and r = 0.874, p = 0.023 respectively).
Conclusion:There is a high prevalence of LVDD in children with HIV and AIDS. Need exists to integrate routine cardiovascular assessment using echocardiography, particularly in those with AIDS as part of their standard case management for early identification and appropriate interventions to save lives.