Case Report: Dilated cardiomyopathy with biventricular thrombus secondary to impaired coagulation in a patient with HIV

Abstract

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is a known hypercoagulable state with venous thromboembolism with a high mortality rate compared to the general population. The homeostatic balance in HIV infected patients improves with treatment compared to those who are not.  A decreased hypercoagulable state noted by low levels of Von Willebrand factor, factor VIII and d-dimer levels along with higher protein C and S activity in patients on treatment suggests that hypercoagulable state is partially correctable with highly active antiretroviral therapy.  HIV with heart muscle involvement can present as myocarditis or as dilated cardiomyopathy with left or right ventricular dysfunction.  Here we present a case of a 57-year-old man with a known history of HIV infection, noncompliant with medical therapy presenting with dilated cardiomyopathy with biventricular thrombi with reduced protein C, protein S, and Antithrombin III levels.