Short Communication
Daniela Buklioska Ilievska
Abstract
Cardiovascular comorbidity is the main reason for hospital admission and mortality in COPD patients, especially in mild-moderate stage of the disease. Aim: To evaluate both right ventricle (RV) and left ventricular (LV) function in patient with COPD by echocardiography and its correlation with the severity of the disease. Material & Method: 60 patients with COPD and thirty healthy subjects were assessed by echocardiography and pulmonary function test. Results: LV parameters were similar in both groups, while RV parameters were significantly higher in COPD patients. Mild, moderate, severe and very severe COPD were seen in 6.66%, 35%, 36.67%, 21.67% respectively, with mean forced expiratory volume in 1s (FEV1%pred) 47.52±17.92%. RV systolic dysfunction in moderate, severe and very severe COPD was present in 47.61%, 59.09%, 53.84% to the number of patients in that stage accordingly. Pulmonary hypertension (PH) was observed in 33.33% of all patients. The presence in different stages was 23.8%, 41%, 46.15%, in moderate, severe and very severe COPD respectively. Impairment of LV diastolic function in moderate, severe and very severe COPD was present in 14.28%, 54.54%, 23.07%, according to the number of patients in that stage. Enlarged left atrium was measured in 42%. Tricuspid regurgitation was the most frequent valvular abnormality, observed in 66.67%. LV systolic function was significantly higher in healthy subjects compared to COPD patients 63.73±1.90% vs. 57.43±6.93%. PH was not detected in the healthy subjects. Conclusion: There is high prevalence of PH, RV systolic dysfunction and tricuspid regurgitation in COPD patients and severity increases with level of severity of COPD. Keywords: Cardiography, COPD, Echocardiography