A patient infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) may have risk factors for atrial fibrillation.
Patient selection: HIV-positive
Risk factors related to HIV:
(1) low CD4+ count (less than 200 per microliter according to Hsu et al; less than 250 according to Elnahar et al)
(2) higher viral load (low if < 500 copies/mL; high if > 100,000 copies per mL)
Risk factors shared with the general population:
(1) older age (greatest when >= 65 years; lowest when < 35)
(2) race White
(3) coronary artery disease
(4) congestive heart failure
(5) alcoholism
(6) proteinuria and/or reduced kidney function
(7) hypothyroidism
