The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of HIV treatment (antiretroviral therapy) and aspirin use on risk for cardiovascular disease among HIV infected persons.
Cardiovascular disease is now a major health concern among persons with HIV infection. Our general hypothesis is that HIV-mediated inflammation and injury to vascular surfaces up-regulates thrombotic pathways and leads to damage of blood vessels that is promotes development of cardiovascular disease. HIV drug treatment (antiretroviral therapy; ART) may reduce inflammation and vessel injury via suppression of HIV replication, but also includes side effects or toxicity that may increase risk for cardiovascular disease in and of itself. In this context, additional anti-inflammatory and anti-thrombotic medications are needed. Acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin) is an excellent candidate and is commonly used for secondary prevention of cardiovascular events in the general population, but few studies have examined it's use in persons with HIV infection. The goal of this study is to generate pilot data regarding changes in measures of cardiovascular risk, as determined by reductions in inflammatory and thrombotic blood markers and a decrease in blood vessel injury (blood markers) and dysfunction (assessment of arterial elasticity), that occur after starting ART and aspirin among persons with HIV infection.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
TRIPLE
Enrollment
22
Patients randomized to Aspirin 325mg po daily versus placebo pill daily
Patients randomized to start ART immediately or defer use for 1 month
Hennepin County Medical Center
Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States
Number of Participants With Side Effects (Self-report) Number of Participants With Adverse Events
At each visit participants were asked if they were experience side effects to study medications. They were also asked if any new events or symptoms occurred since the last visit, even if they did not suspect it was related to the study medication
Time frame: 6 months
Blood Markers of Inflammation, Endothelial Injury, and Thrombosis
Time frame: changes from baseline to 6 months
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