Persons with HIV, even those well-treated, are at increased risk for heart disease when compared to the general population. Two hormones called aldosterone and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), which have been shown to be abnormal in HIV, may be associated with inflammation as well as early changes in structure and function of the heart. This study is being conducted to evaluate whether therapies to block aldosterone and increase BNP levels may reduce the burden and progression of heart failure to improve cardiovascular health.
This is a 6-month study enrolling persons with HIV with no known history of heart disease. Participants will be screened for early signs of heart failure using cardiac ultrasound (cardiac transthoracic echocardiography or cardiac TTE). Those participants who have early changes in the structure and function of the heart and may be at future risk for heart failure will be enrolled into the study. Additional imaging of the heart will occur using cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (cardiac MRI). Following baseline studies, participants will either receive a medication called sacubitril/valsartan or placebo for 6 months. Sacubitril/valsartan in an FDA approved medication currently being used for heart failure with reduced ejection fraction in the general population, and we are evaluating whether this medication could be useful to reduce HIV-related heart failure with preserved ejection fraction. Sacubitril/valsartan is an oral medication taken twice daily that may block aldosterone hormone and increase natriuretic peptide hormone. Overall, this study aims to investigate the effect of sacubitril/valsartan on measures of heart disease related to inflammation, structure and function of the heart muscle in HIV using cardiac TTE and cardiac MRI imaging as well as blood markers of heart failure and inflammation.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
QUADRUPLE
Enrollment
39
By mouth twice daily
Placebo oral tablet By mouth twice daily
Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston, Massachusetts, United States
Myocardial Inflammation/Fibrosis
Myocardial Inflammation/Fibrosis measured by extracellular volume fraction via cardiac magnetic resonance imaging
Time frame: 6 months
Myocardial Dysfunction
Left Atrial Volume Index or Global Longitudinal Strain measured by cardiac transthoracic echocardiography
Time frame: 6 months
Other Indices of Myocardial Dysfunction
Alterations in other cardiac structure and function as measured by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging or cardiac transthoracic echocardiogram
Time frame: 6 months
Markers of Myocardial Inflammation and Fibrosis
Circulating biomarkers of myocardial inflammation and fibrosis
Time frame: 6 months
Cardiac Natriuretic Peptides
Circulating cardiac natriuretic peptides
Time frame: 6 months
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