“ECG AND ECHOCARDIOGRAPHIC FINDINGS IN CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE”

Abstract

Background: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) which encompasses both chronic bronchitis and emphysema is one of the commonest respiratory condition of adults in the developing world.Aim:To study the electrocardiographic and echocardiographic changes in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Methods: All COPD patients above 30 years of age, diagnosed clinically and satisfying the spirometric criteria were included in the study. All patients were subjected to both 2 D and Doppler Echocardiogram and pulmonary artery pressure measured. - Pulmonary function test was done using spirometry. Results: ECG abnormalities suggestive of pulmonary hypertension (Right ventricular hypertrophy) was found in more than half of these cases. Poor progression with R/S is < 1 was found in 12 cases, right ventricular strain patterns like ST depression in II, III AVF and T wave inversion was found in 7 and 6 cases respectively, low voltage QRS in 5 cases. Other rare ECG abnormalities like lead I sign and SI, S II, S III was found in 2 and 1 cases respectively. Rhythm abnormalities like ventricular ectopics, RBBB are found in 2 cases and multi focal atrial tachycardia in 1 case. Conclusion: COPD is commonly seen in persons above 40 years of age ie., in the middle and old aged people. - It is more common among males. - It is associated with the smoking pattern of more than 20 pack years