ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY ON HIV PATIENTS ADMITTED TO THE ICU

A prospective echocardiographic study was conducted in 68 patients wit h the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) admitted to the intensive car e unit (ICU) (C3 stage 78%, i.v. drug abuse 71%) in order, firstly to, assess the prevalence of cardiac abnormalities, and, secondly, to mak e an early therapeutic decision. Only five patients presented clinical evidence of cardiac disease. Echocardiographic abnormalities were ide ntified in 35 patients (51%): pericardial effusion: 20 cases (29%), wi th tamponade in 2 cases that led to an immediate pericardiocentesis Le ft ventricular dysfunction: 15 cases (22%) requiring treatment of card iac failure. Mitral bioprothesis rupture in 1 patient that led to a su rgical procedure. Vegetations of the tricuspid valve in 3 drug addicts (4%) requiring early antibiotic treatment. Echocardiography proved to be very helpful in detecting hidden cardiac dysfunctions. It is immen sely valuable in ICU management of HIV patients, since prompt initiati on of appropriate treatment is essential.