Growing evidence indicates that chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is an important cause of respiratory impairment in HIV+ persons and will likely increase as the HIV+ population continues to age. In the HIV-uninfected population, COPD frequently co-exists with cardiac disease including atherosclerosis and pulmonary hypertension (PH). The investigators work has demonstrated that a syndrome of "cardiopulmonary dysfunction" exists even in non-smoking or antiretroviral-treated HIV+ individuals. The investigators have found that HIV+ individuals have a high prevalence of respiratory symptoms, airflow obstruction, and diffusing capacity (DLco) abnormalities that occur concurrently with cardiac co-morbidities, including radiographic measures of atherosclerosis and elevated echocardiographic pulmonary artery pressures. This syndrome is marked by inflammation with elevated levels of cytokines and hsCRP, peripheral T-cell activation, and increased sputum neutrophils as well as elevation of NT-proBNP, a marker of heart strain. Importantly, the investigators have shown that DLco impairment and elevated NT-proBNP are significant independent predictors of mortality in HIV, indicating that cardiopulmonary dysfunction is likely highly clinically relevant and identifies a vulnerable population in whom the investigators lack effective interventions.

Statins have anti-inflammatory effects in the lung and vasculature that might benefit cardiopulmonary dysfunction in HIV. These agents have a long history of clinical use in cardiovascular disease and are currently being investigated as disease-modifying drugs for HIV, COPD, and PH. In preliminary analyses, the investigators have found that HIV+ individuals who received statin therapy within the past year were significantly less likely to have impaired DLco and had lower pulmonary artery pressures, lower NT-proBNP, lower peripheral cytokines, and fewer sputum neutrophils despite being older and having a greater smoking history than those not using statins.