Abstract
To determine the prevalence of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and to assess the characteristics of these patients. Stable COPD patients (age, >40 years) were included in the study between January 2014 and June 2014. Patients with acute exacerbations and a previous lung resection were excluded. Data regarding demographic characteristics were recorded. The modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) dyspnea scale was used to assess the severity of breathlessness. The COPD Assessment Test (CAT) was performed. Abdominal aortic diameter was measured using abdominal ultrasonography (AUS), and AAA was diagnosed as an aortic diameter of ≥30 mm at the renal artery level. In total, 82 patients were examined. AAA was detected in five (6.1%) patients. Diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and coronary artery disease were present in four patients with AAA. The average mMRC score was 3.2±0.4, and the mean CAT score was 18.4±6.0. Aneurysmal diameter was >50 mm in four patients and 37 mm in one patient. Statistically significant differences were found between patient with AAA and those without AAA with respect to the mean abdominal aortic diameters at the renal artery and iliac artery levels (p=0.012 and 0.002, respectively). Our findings suggest that AAA is associated with COPD, with a prevalence rate of 6.1%. AAA is usually asymptomatic until a clinical status of rupture, which is associated with a higher mortality risk. Early diagnosis of AAA is lifesaving. In COPD patients, AAA might be easily determined using AUS, which is a noninvasive and relatively cheap procedure.
Highlights
Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is defined as a permanent dilatation of the abdominal aorta and becomes visible when the diameter is ≥3 cm below the renal artery level
Hypertension, and coronary artery disease were present in four patients with AAA
Our findings suggest that AAA is associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), with a prevalence rate of 6.1%
Summary
Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is defined as a permanent dilatation of the abdominal aorta and becomes visible when the diameter is ≥3 cm below the renal artery level. It is usually asymptomatic until a clinical status of rupture, which is associated with a higher mortality risk and requires emergency surgical intervention. The prevalence of AAA has been reported to be between 3% and 8%, and the incidence increases in concordance with age [1, 2]. Deaths associated with AAA in United States increased approximately 20% in 1991 when compared with that in 1979; the increase is presumed to be in concordance with the increase in ultrasonography use. Abdominal ultrasonography (AUS) is a noninvasive and relatively cheap procedure that is nearly 100% effective for detecting clinically important aneurysms [1, 2]
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