“Study Of Cardiac Changes In Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Patients”

Abstract

Background: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality globally, often complicated by cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) due to shared pathophysiological pathways. This study aims to explore the cardiac changes associated with varying severities of COPD, utilizing echocardiography and correlating these changes with clinical COPD assessments such as the BODE index, ABG values, and SGRQ scores.
Methods: This prospective observational study included 60 patients diagnosed with COPD based on GOLD criteria, recruited from Lokmanya Tilak Medical College and Hospital. Participants underwent comprehensive clinical and echocardiographic evaluations to assess cardiovascular changes. The severity of COPD was staged using spirometric criteria, and the impact of COPD on cardiac function was analyzed through echocardiographic findings.
Results: The majority of the study population was male (58.33%), with a significant number presenting with moderate to severe stages of COPD. Echocardiographic assessment revealed that 33.33% of the patients had pulmonary hypertension, with an increase in prevalence correlating with the severity of COPD. Significant associations were found between higher COPD severities and worse echocardiographic outcomes, including right and left ventricular dysfunctions. Higher BODE index scores and poorer SGRQ outcomes were also correlated with more severe cardiac abnormalities.
Conclusion: The findings underscore the significant impact of COPD on cardiovascular health, highlighting the need for early cardiac assessment in COPD patients. Further studies are recommended to explore the mechanisms underlying these associations and to confirm the potential benefits of integrated cardiopulmonary management in improving outcomes for COPD patients.