Abacavir and cardiovascular risk

Purpose of review This review focuses on current studies addressing the association of abacavir (ABC) therapy and myocardial risk in HIV-infected patients, discusses potential pathogenetic mechanisms, and suggests a preliminary algorithm for decision making regarding ABC therapy in daily clinical practise. Recent findings The D:A:D study was the first to reveal an increased rate of myocardial infarction in patients recently treated with ABC. Subsequent analyses of both cohort studies as well as prospective randomized clinical trials largely confirmed this association. Although these studies varied considerably by design and their ability to control for confounders, they provide early support that ABC therapy can increase the risk for cardiovascular disease. The pathogenesis of this association remains elusive. Preliminary cross-sectional studies suggest the involvement of inflammation associated with ABC. Conclusion Prospective studies are required to provide additional evidence for the association of ABC therapy and cardiovascular events. In individual patients with underlying high cardiovascular risk, replacement of ABC may be considered, if it can be substituted by alternative equally effective treatment.