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Fat Around Organs and Heart Attack Risk in People With HIV

Uses MRI scans to compare fat around the heart and liver in adults with HIV.

Key facts

Who runs it
University of Liverpool
Where
Liverpool, United KingdomSee the site
Trial code
Registry title
The Role of Ectopic Fat and Heart Attack Risk in HIV
Status
Recruiting
People taking part
100 people, planned
Started
1 Aug 2024
Expected to end
30 Jun 2027
Type of study
Observational, 2 groups
Record updated
19 February 2026

Who can take part

AI summary

From the trial's eligibility criteria. Machine-read from the registry text on this page, so it can be wrong. The registry text below and the trial team decide who can take part.

The trial is looking for people over 40 who are living with HIV and have stable HIV treatment with a controlled viral load. It measures fat around the heart and liver with MRI scans.

Age
Over 40 years
Sex
All
Disease stage
HIV-positive, with CD4 count >200cells/mm3 for >2 years before joining.
Earlier treatment
Stable ART for >6 months with two VL <40 copies/ml. No history or current use of GLP-1 agonists.
Biomarker or test result
HIV-positive; two VL <40 copies/ml; CD4 count >200cells/mm3 for >2 years.

Main reasons for not taking part

  • Severe kidney impairment (eGFR <30ml/min) or severe liver impairment (Child Pugh Score >9)
  • Active hepatitis B or hepatitis C
  • History of cancer
  • Active illicit intravenous drug use
  • Pregnancy or breast feeding at screening

The registry criteria, word for word

Show all 13 criteriaShow less

Who can take part

  • • >40 years; HIV-positive; Stable ART for >6 months with two VL <40 copies/ml based on local testing protocols; CD4 count >200cells/mm3 for >2 years from recruitment Inclusion Criteria (all); Understand the study procedures, able to comply with study procedures and voluntarily agree to participate by giving informed written consent

Who cannot take part

  • Active illicit intravenous drug use
  • Subjects currently taking: Atypical antipsychotics, omega 3 supplements, Telmisartan/Irbesartan, Thiazolidinediones or regular NSAID use
  • History of severe hepatic impairment (Child Pugh Score >9)
  • Active hepatitis B or hepatitis C
  • Any active illness, which in the opinion of the investigator precludes participation in the study
  • History of cancer
  • History of severe renal impairment (eGFR <30ml/min)
  • Subjects unable to comply with the study protocol
  • Investigators may decide the subject cannot proceed if there are any relevant other abnormal results in screening assessments
  • History or current GLP-1 agonist use
  • For female subjects: pregnancy or breast feeding at screening
  • Familial hypercholesterolaemia

Where in United Kingdom

  • Royal Liverpool University HospitalLiverpool, United KingdomContact: Richard FitzgeraldTaking people

About the trial

What the trial wants to find out

This study is designed to investigate differences between people living with HIV (PLWHIV) and general populations on how the body utilises and stores energy. This study uses magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to measure fat around the body organs including the heart and liver. The fat around body organs, also known as visceral fat, is known to be associated with metabolic syndrome and a risk factor for developing heart attacks and strokes.

Read full original descriptionShow less

MRI scans are used frequently in hospitals to diagnose a range of conditions. These scans use radio waves to measure protons in body tissues. The machines can reconstruct tissues using complex algorithms to form composite images of body structures. MRI scans do not use ionising radiation and there is no risk to undertaking an MRI in terms of radiation.

We often use MRI scans to assess the hearts' structure and function. In addition, we can use specific MRI sequences to assess the integrity of heart muscle. Heart MRI is often considered the gold standard imaging technique to assess the heart and heart muscle disease. This sub-study will use multiple MRI sequences to assess the heart and the liver. We are aiming to investigate any changes in heart and liver fat. In addition, we will assess any changes in fat levels within the heart muscle cells whilst also assessing for any change in the way the heart is functioning.

PLWHIV have roughly double the risk of heart attacks compared to general populations. Previous studies have demonstrated that this increased risk may arise from the way in which fat is stored and metabolised in the body. We hope this study will give insight into why HIV-positive individuals have increased risks of heart attacks and how reducing visceral fat may reduce risk. It may lead to further medicines or treatment strategies to reduce the risk of heart attacks in HIV-positive individuals.

The 2 groups in the trial

  • People living with HIV
  • General population

Questions to ask the study team

  1. How often do I need to come in, and for how long each time?
  2. Are travel costs paid?
  3. Can I keep my own doctor?
  4. What happens if I want to stop?

Contact the study team: see the registry record → Contacts and Locations

Print a page for my doctor

Data and sources

Registry record
Listed on ClinicalTrials.gov.
Official title
The Association of Ectopic Fat and Cardiovascular Disease in People Living With HIV and General Populations: A Cross Sectional Analysis
Plain-language title
Fat Around Organs and Heart Attack Risk in People With HIVGenerated from the registry record. The registry title is the official one.
AI summary
From the trial's eligibility criteria. Read by machine on 12 November 2026.
Record updated
19 February 2026