Aortic aneurysm diagnosed in a Mozambican HIV positive and hypertensive man with echocardiography

Abstract

Aortic aneurysm might be underdiagnosed on hypertensive HIV infected patients, in settings with limited-resources. Etiological factors include atherosclerosis as well as infections like tuberculosis, syphilis, or HIV-associated vasculitis. HIV/AIDS is a major public health problem in Mozambique and throughout Africa, but there is scant literature from this continent regarding clinical outcomes in people with HIV and aortic dissection. This case report describes a 42-year-old hypertensive man on antiretroviral therapy for HIV, who developed symptoms of deteriorating shortness of breath on exertion. Transthoracic echocardiogram demonstrated an aortic root and ascending aorta dilatation, along with severe aortic valve regurgitation. The final outcome was not favourable.

Keywords

• hiv
• aortic aneurysm
• mozambique