Knudsen AD, Krebs-Demmer L, Bjørge NID, et al. - Given a correlation of increased pericardial adipose tissue with higher risk of cardiovascular disease, researchers here examined whether an independent association of HIV status with larger pericardial adipose tissue volume exists. Further, they investigated possible HIV-specific risk factors. The Copenhagen Comorbidity in HIV Infection (COCOMO) Study yielded data from 587 persons with HIV (PWH) and these were then matched 1:1 on age and gender to 587 uninfected controls. An independent correlation of HIV status with larger pericardial adipose tissue volume was identified. They observed 17 mL larger pericardial adipose tissue volume in an independent correlation with HIV status. Low CD4+ nadir and prior use of stavudine, didanosine, and indinavir were observed in correlation with larger pericardial adipose tissue volume. Larger pericardial adipose tissue volume was observed in correlation with severe immunodeficiency, stavudine, didanosine, and indinavir. Hence prior exposure to these drugs in PWH may make them a distinct cardiovascular risk population.