Echocardiographic evaluation of right and left heart findings according to the severity of the disease in stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Abstract

Introduction: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is seen alongside some systemic diseases that result in impaired functional capacity, worsening dyspnea, decreased health-related quality of life and increased mortality. Cardiovascular diseases, considering their effect on mortality, play an important role in such diseases. Objective: The aim of this study to evaluate the cardiac changes that develop secondary to COPD and attempt to identify any correlation between the severities of the disease determined using GOLD guidelines and ECHO findings. Method: This prospective study involved 32 male patients who presented to the pulmonary disease outpatient clinic with stable COPD. We compared the severity of COPD with the ECO findings of the patients. Findings: Correlations were found between the severity of COPD and heart rate, the number of cigarettes smoked and the respiratory function test results. Measurable tricuspid regurgitation was detected in 26 patients (26/32=81.2%), and the degree of tricuspid regurgitation according to the severity of COPD. Conclusion: We suggest that cardiac influences should be diagnosed early in the course of the disease, and that treatment be started to decrease the rates of mortality and morbidity in patients with COPD.

Echocardiographic Evaluation of Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

“…Contrary to our study, Chaudhary and Shrimali reported majority (80%) chest radiograph suggestive of features of emphysema and 68% chronic bronchitis [25]. Other features on chest radiograph in our study were cardiomegaly (36.1%) and pulmonary hypertension (prominent pulmonary conus / prominent right descending pulmonary artery>16mm) in 19.7 % of the patients.…”

“…Similar distribution was observed in many studies. The distribution of participants in study by Chaudhary and Shrimali was also similar with severe COPD (62%), moderate COPD (34%) and mild COPD (4%) [25]. In the study by Suma et al, 60% of the patients had severe airflow obstruction, 36% had moderate and 4% had mild disease [26].…”

“…Other features on chest radiograph in our study were cardiomegaly (36.1%) and pulmonary hypertension (prominent pulmonary conus / prominent right descending pulmonary artery>16mm) in 19.7 % of the patients. Suma et al and Chaudhary and Shrimali reported chest radiograph evidence of pulmonary hypertension in 30% patients each and cardiomegaly in 20% and 24% respectively [26,25].…”