Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting in a Patient With Human Immunodeficiency Virus

Role of Perioperative Active Anti-Retroviral Therapy

Abstract

In a patient with severe ischemic heart disease and advanced human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, vigorous perioperative treatment with anti-retroviral agents was given and coronary artery bypass surgery using cardiopulmonary bypass was successfully performed. This strategy could become the standard for patients with cardiovascular disease and advanced HIV infection. The following aspects of this case require further investigation: (1) lack of a reactive increase in the neutrophil count, (2) transient extreme reduction of lymphocytes, and (3) a relative decrease in the CD⁸⁺ cell ratio. (Jpn Circ J 1999; 63: 423 - 424)