Incidental Findings on Coronary Computed Tomography Angiography in Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)-Positive and HIV-Negative Persons.

Background

Incidental findings on coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) have a great impact on the benefits and costs of testing for cardiovascular disease. The number of incidental findings might be increased in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive individuals compared with the general population. Data are limited regarding the association between incidental findings and HIV infection.

Methods

We assessed the prevalence and factors associated with incidental findings among HIV-positive and HIV-negative participants ≥45 years undergoing CCTA. Logistic regression was performed to evaluate the factors associated with incidental findings in the HIV-positive and HIV-negative groups. For the analysis of the HIV effect, a propensity score-matched dataset of HIV-positive/HIV-negative participants was used.

Results

We included 553 participants, 341 with and 212 without HIV infection. Incidental findings were observed in 291 of 553 (53%) patients. In 42 of 553 (7.6%) participants, an incidental finding resulted in additional workup. A malignancy was diagnosed in 2 persons. In the HIV-positive group, age (1.31 per 5 years, 1.10-1.56) and smoking (2.29, 1.43-3.70) were associated with incidental findings; in the HIV-negative group, age (1.26, 1.01-1.59) and a CAC score >0 (2.08, 1.09-4.02) were associated with incidental findings. Human immunodeficiency virus seropositivity did not affect the risk of incidental findings.

Conclusions

Incidental findings were highly prevalent among HIV-positive and HIV-negative persons. Human immunodeficiency virus infection was not associated with an increased risk of incidental findings.