Lipid Management in Human Immunodeficiency Virus

The development of antiretroviral medications to treat patients infected with HIV has changed this disease from one that was fatal to a chronic and more manageable condition. However, these patients are at increased risk for cardiovascular disease due to the HIV itself, use of antiretroviral medications, and because they are living to an age when cardiovascular disease is more prevalent. At present there are no specific guidelines for management of risk factors, in particular dyslipidemia, for this patient population. We present recommendations based on those for the general population and how these may be applied to patients living with HIV.