Outcomes of patients with human immunodeficiency virus infection undergoing cardiovascular surgery in the United States

Introduction Advances in highly active antiretroviral therapy have dramatically improved the lifespan of patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). We sought to examine the impact of HIV status on outcomes in patients undergoing cardiovascular surgery.

Results The percentage of HIV+ patients undergoing cardiovascular surgery increased significantly from 0.09% to 0.23%. HIV+ patients were more often male, black, younger than 55 years of age, and on Medicaid, and they were more likely to undergo valve and other cardiovascular surgeries, but less likely to have CABG. Among propensity-matched pairs, patients with HIV were at no increased risk for in-patient mortality. HIV+ patients were more likely to receive a blood transfusion and have any postoperative complication. Patients with HIV were less likely to have a postoperative stroke. Rates of pneumonia, renal complications, and wound infection were similar between the groups. The median length of stay and mean total cost were not different between the groups. Factors that predicted in-hospital death in HIV+ patients included metastatic cancer, coagulopathy, renal failure, and aortic, other, or combined surgical procedure.

Conclusions Cardiovascular surgery can be performed safely on patients with HIV with no increased hospital mortality and only minimal increased need for blood transfusion.