TITLE:
A Case-Control Study on Cardiac Structure and Function via Magnetic Resonance Imaging in People Living with HIV in the Dan’ao Region
AUTHORS:
Wentong Zhu, Huiting Lai, Jinxing Qiu, Zhiwei Liu, Yuncheng Li
KEYWORDS:
HIV Infection, AIDS, Cardiac Magnetic Resonance
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Biosciences and Medicines,
Vol.14 No.5,
May
9,
2026
ABSTRACT: Objective: To investigate the characteristics of cardiac structural and functional changes in HIV-infected patients (including asymptomatic and AIDS stages) in the Dan’ao region. We analyzed alterations in myocardial mass, atrial and ventricular dimensions, and ejection fraction, aiming to reduce patient mortality through the early detection of subclinical cardiac lesions. Methods: Study Subjects: We recruited HIV-infected patients visiting the “Love Clinic” between May 2024 and May 2025. The cohort included 30 patients with AIDS and 31 asymptomatic individuals. Additionally, 50 healthy volunteers were selected to serve as a control group. Grouping Criteria: Diagnosis and staging were performed strictly in accordance with the Chinese Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Treatment of HIV/AIDS (2024 Edition). Examination & Analysis: All participants underwent Cardiac Magnetic Resonance (CMR) imaging. Post-processing analysis was conducted using the United Imaging Intelligence (uAI) software to measure myocardial mass, atrial and ventricular dimensions, ventricular volumes, and ejection fraction. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 27. 0 software. Results: One-way ANOVA revealed a statistically significant difference among the three groups in Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction (LVEF) (F = 8. 445, P F = 3.242, P = 0.04), Left Ventricular Myocardial Mass (LVMM) (F = 3.698, P = 0.03) and Right Ventricular Ejection Fraction (RVEF) (F = 4.073, P = 0.02). Based on the one-way ANOVA results, pairwise comparisons were conducted between the AIDS group and the healthy control group, the AIDS group and the asymptomatic HIV group, and the asymptomatic HIV group and the healthy control group. AIDS group vs. Healthy control group: The results showed statistically significant differences in LVEF (t = −3.831, P t = 2.348, P = 0.02), right atrial diameter (t = 3.533, P t = 2.851, P t = −2.883, P t = −3.254, P t = 0.714, P = 0.49), LVM (t = 1.403, P = 0.17), or RVEF (t = 0.757, P = 0.45). Asymptomatic HIV group vs. Healthy control group: No statistically significant differences were found in LVEF (t = −0.542, P = 0.59), RVESV (t = −1.049, P = 0.30), right atrial diameter (t = 1.429, P = 0.16), LVM (t = 1.122, P = 0.25), or RVEF (t = −1.769, P = 0.08). Conclusion: Left and right ventricular ejection fractions were lower in HIV-infected individuals, particularly those with AIDS, compared to the healthy control group. Conversely, right ventricular end-diastolic volume, right atrial anterior-posterior diameter, and cardiac mass were elevated. These findings suggest that HIV-infected individuals may suffer from right ventricular dysfunction, with more severe impairment observed in patients with AIDS.