Clinical and pathogenic aspects of arterial stiffness and the left heart remodeling in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and coronary artery disease

Abstract

Aim. The aim of this study was to evaluate a relationship between clinical and functional parameters, arterial stiffness and the left heart remodeling in patients with COPD and comorbid coronary artery disease (CAD). Methods . Fifty COPD patients with or without comorbid CAD were includ ed. This was a prospective observational 52week study. Lung function was testing, noninvasive arteriography, echocardiography were used. Oxygen saturation and cytokine (IL6, IL8, TNFα) were measured. Results . Severe and very severe COPD and CAD have common risk factors, such as smoking, hypoxemia, systemic inflammation, which can cause vascular wall remodeling. Increased arterial stiffness affects hemodynamics and impedes myocardial relaxation that in turn leads to diastolic dysfunction and reduced left heart contractility Direct relationships between systemic inflammation biomarkers, arterial stiffness, systolic and diastolic dysfunction were found in patients with severe and very severe COPD independ ently on comorbid CAD.