Coronary Artery Disease in People Living with HIV: Assessing Plaque Evolution, Body Composition and Comorbidities to Predict CAD Course and Statin Therapy Efficacy

• Applicant: Dr. Jan Michael Brendel
• Subject Area: Nuclear Medicine, Radiotherapy, Radiobiology
• Term: since 2024
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 540505270

The primary objective of this study is to assess the evolution of coronary artery plaque in people living with HIV (PWH) at low to moderate risk for cardiovascular disease, who were randomized to pitavastatin calcium or placebo in the REPRIEVE trial, using advanced CT plaque composition analysis derived from baseline and 24-month coronary CT angiography. This study aims to identify key risk factors and their impact on the course of CAD in PWH. To this end, changes in non-calcified plaque volume will be correlated with (i) CT imaging biomarkers of body composition, (ii) blood markers, (iii) HIV-related comorbidities, and (iv) traditional cardiovascular risk factors. Further, we will evaluate the predictive value of CT body composition biomarkers for statin efficacy in PWH. Exploratively, we will perform a radiomics analysis of CT body composition to identify autonomous patterns incremental to clinical risk factors.

• DFG Programme: WBP Fellowship
• International Connection: USA
• Host: Dr. Borek Foldyna