BACKGROUND: HAART has improved survival of HIV patients. Its contribution to the development of new cardiovascular abnormalities has generated much interest. This study aimed at determining the prevalence of QTc prolongation among HIV patients and determining the influence if any of the use of HAART on the QTc and on the risk of having QTc prolongation.MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred and fifty HIV positive subjects comprising 76 HIV positive subjects on HAART (Group A), 74 who were HAART- naïve (Group B), and 150 age and sex-matched healthy controls (Group C) were studied. All subjects had electrocardiography, and QTc duration was calculated.RESULTS: Mean QTc was significantly different among the three groups (P <0.001), highest in Group B > Group A > Group C. Frequency of QTc prolongation was highest in Group B (32%)>, Group A (17.3%)> Group C (4.7%) (P<0.001). Mean QTc was significantly longer among patients with CD4 count <200 cells/mm3 than among those with >200 cells/mm3 0.445 + 0.03secs vs 0.421 + 0.03secs (P<0.001).  QTc prolongation was commoner among individuals with CD4 count <200 cells/mm3 50% vs 20.5% (P<0.001). On binary logistic regression, none of the HAART medications used by our patients was predictive of the occurrence of QTc prolongation.CONCLUSION: The QTc is longer, and QTc prolongation occurs more frequently in HAART-naïve HIV patients than patients on HAART and healthy controls. None of the HAART medications used by our patients was predictive of the development of QTc prolongation.
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KEYWORDS: QTc prolongation, HIV/AIDS, Highly Active Anti-Retroviral Therapy (HAART)