Get your full text copy in PDF

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to observe the dynamic changes in cardiac function indexes in patients with stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 54 patients with stable COPD were divided into four groups with the grading criteria of the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) according to their pulmonary function test results. Ten healthy people were enrolled in the normal control group. Echocardiography was performed in all groups; changes of biventricular function and pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) were analyzed in the group of GOLD I–IV patients, as well as groups based on FEV1 more or less than 50%. A prediction model using pulmonary function test indexes to predict cardiac function was established.
RESULTS: PAP was progressively increased by the GOLD grade, notable increases were shown in the GOLD III (p=0.011) and the GOLD IV group (p=0.005). The right ventricular function indexes, right ventricular Tei index (RVTei), and tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE), as well as the left ventricular function indexes, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), early and late wave of mitral valve flow (E/A), and left ventricular Tei index (LVTei) were affected synchronously with stable COPD severity (p<0.05, p<0.01). Inspiratory capacity/total lung capacity (IC/TLC) and diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (DLCO) were related to the RVTei.
CONCLUSIONS: PAP and cardiac function indexes are synchronously changed with the degree of stable COPD. Pulmonary function test has potential value to indicate the cardiac dysfunction of stable COPD patients.

Keywords: Echocardiography, Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive, Respiratory Function Tests, Ventricular Function, Left, Ventricular Function, Right