A study of echo cardiographic abnormalities

Abstract

Prospective observational study conducted in Department of Respiratory Medicine, Chennai. 65 stable COPD (In patients and out patients) were recruited in this study which was appropriate by Institutional Human Ethical Committee. The selected patients were subjected to Spirometry, ECG, Echocardiography.Data was analysed by using appropriate statistical methods. Our study, included a total of 55 stable COPD patients between the age group of 40 to 70 years with the mean age of 55.01. There was a Male predominance of 63.6% with M: F ratio of 1.7:1. Based on the GOLD severity grading, 18.2%, 30.9%, 50.9% belongs to Mild, Moderate & Severe COPD respectively. 58.1% were smoker among which 14.5% had pack years of < 20 pack year and 43.6% had > 20 pack years of smoking. Majority of smokers with pack years of less than 20 had mild COPD. However majority of Smokers with >20 pack year majority belonged to severe (32.7%) group followed by 10.9% in moderate group. Among Non smoker (9.09%), 7.27% and 1.81% were in mild and moderate group respectively. The prevalence of Cardiac abnormality in the study group was analysed with ECG and Echocardiography. ECG abnormalities observed were as follows: P Pulmonale (43.6%), Right Axis Deviation (41.8%), Right Ventricular Hypertrophy (40%), Low voltage QRS complex (36.3%), Poor R wave progression (30.9%), T wave inversion (27.3 %) and Right Bundle Branch Block(20%).Echocardiographic changes observed were as follows: RA & RV dilatation (50.9%), Tricuspid regurgitation (47.3%), RWMA (10.9%) and LV dysfunction (7.3%). The normal pulmonary artery systolic pressure was observed in 21.8% patients. 16.3 %, 43.6% and 18.2 % were observed in Mild, Moderate and severe PAP respectively.