JACC: Advances (Sep 2024)

Association of Cardiac Troponin T With Coronary Atherosclerosis in Asymptomatic Primary Prevention People With HIV

  • Christopher deFilippi, MD,
  • Sara McCallum, MPH,
  • Markella V. Zanni, MD,
  • Kathleen V. Fitch, MSN,
  • Marissa R. Diggs, BA,
  • Gerald S. Bloomfield, MD,
  • Carl J. Fichtenbaum, MD,
  • Judith A. Aberg, MD,
  • Carlos D. Malvestutto, MD,
  • Adriana Pinto-Martinez, MD,
  • Ann Stapleton, MD,
  • Joan Duggan, MD,
  • Gregory K. Robbins, MD,
  • Jana Taron, MD,
  • Julia Karady, MD,
  • Borek Foldyna, MD,
  • Michael T. Lu, MD,
  • Heather J. Ribaudo, PhD,
  • Pamela S. Douglas, MD,
  • Steven K. Grinspoon, MD

Journal volume & issue
Vol. 3, no. 9
p. 101206

Abstract

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Background: Coronary plaque is common among people with HIV (PWH) with low-to-moderate traditional atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine the association of high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T (hs-cTnT) levels with coronary plaque characteristics and evaluate if hs-cTnT improves identification of these features beyond traditional ASCVD risk factors among PWH. Methods: Among PWH receiving stable antiretroviral therapy with low-to-moderate ASCVD risk and no known history of ASCVD, hs-cTnT levels and measures of plaque by coronary computed tomography angiography were assessed. Primary outcomes included the association of hs-cTnT level with the presence of any plaque, vulnerable plaque, coronary artery calcium (CAC) score, and Leaman score. Assessment of model discrimination of hs-cTnT for plaque characteristics was also performed. Results: The cohort included 708 U.S. participants with a mean age of 51 ± 6 years, 119 (17%) females, a median ASCVD risk score of 4.4% (Q1-Q3: 2.5%-6.6%), and a median hs-cTnT level of 6.7 ng/L (detectable level ≥6 ng/L in 61%). Any plaque was present in 341 (48%), vulnerable plaque in 155 (22%), CAC>100 in 68 (10%), and a Leaman score >5 in 105 (15%). After adjustment for ASCVD risk score, participants with hs-cTnT >9.6 ng/L (highest category) versus an undetectable level (100 (2.58, 95% CI: 1.37-4.83), and Leaman score >5 (2.13, 95% CI: 1.32-3.46). The addition of hs-cTnT level modestly improved the discrimination of ASCVD risk score to identify critical plaque features. Conclusions: In PWH without known ASCVD, hs-cTnT levels were strongly associated with and improved prediction of subclinical coronary plaque. (Evaluating the Use of Pitavastatin to Reduce the Risk of Cardiovascular Disease in HIV-Infected Adults [REPRIEVE]; NCT02344290)

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