Effect of Atazanavir on Endothelial Function in HIV-Infected Patients

It is known that certain antiviral therapies, the socalled protease inhibitors, used in the treatment of HIV infection has an untowarded effect on the blood vessels, promoting early occurence of atherosclerosis. A a newer protease inhibitor, atazanavir, has been shown to have no negative effect on the levels of blood cholesterol and it is hypothesized that this may indicate that atazanavir is less prone to induce atherosclerosis. An early sign of atherosclerosis is a reduced vasomotion and this study investigate the influence of atazanavir on functionality of the conduit blood vessels compared to that of "standard" antiviral therapy.