Introduction: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a major global health issue, characterized by chronic inflammation and airflow limitation. Systemic inflammation in COPD patients is commonly assessed through biomarkers like high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP). Objectives: To evaluate the 2D Echo changes and correlation with severity of disease (FEV1) & hs-CRP in COPD. Methodology: A crosssectional study was conducted involving 106 COPD patients.After obtaining written informed consent, demographic details, smoking habits, environmental exposure to biomass fuels, and COPD severity were recorded. hs-CRPlevels were measured as a marker of systemic inflammation. Echocardiographic evaluations were performed to assess cardiac complications. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze demographic and clinical data. Results: Echocardiographic abnormalities were common, with PH present in 50% of patients, increasing with disease severity (p < 0.001). Right ventricular dilation (RVd) was seen in 41.5% of cases, while left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVSD) and diastolic dysfunction (LVDD) were noted in 8.49% and 13.21% of patients, respectively. A significant association was found between COPD severity and PH, LVSD, LVDD, and RVd (p < 0.001). hs-CRP levels were significantly higher in patients with PH (76.61 ±74.18 mg/L), LVSD (97.68 ±68.35 mg/L), LVDD (94.80 ±57.49 mg/L), and RVd (79.02 ±73.69 mg/L), indicating a strong link between systemic inflammation and cardiac complications in COPD (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Echocardiographic abnormalities are significantly associated with COPD severity and systemic inflammation. hs-CRP serves as a valuable biomarker for identifying high-risk patients. Integrating echocardiographic evaluation and inflammatory markers in COPD management can aid in early diagnosis and targeted interventions for better patient outcomes.
Bainara et al. (Fri,) studied this question.