The echocardiographic features of left ventricular dysfunction in men with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Introduction: Left ventricular dysfunction (LVD) in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) increases the risk of mortality. The coexistence of LVD and COPD has substantial number of diagnostic difficulties. It is still not clear how prevalent is it and what causes LVD in COPD patients without cardiovascular diseases. The aim of our study was to assess the prevalence of LVD and its association with the severity of the COPD. Methods: The prospective cohort study included 120 patients with previously diagnosed stable COPD. In all patients spirometry and transthoracic echocardiography were performed. Patients were divided into four stages of COPD, according to Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) criteria. Results: The prevalence of LVDD across the cohort was 65.8%. The first degree of DD was found in 42.5% of COPD patients, second degree in 20.8% and third degree DD in 2.5% of patinets. LVDD was present in all COPD stages, but was not associated with the severity of the COPD disease (p = 0.8). The parameters of systolic function are decreasing with COPD stage, with significant differences between groups (SVI (p=0.01), EF p<0.001). Decreased EF≤49% was found in the 16.6% of cochort, in the first COPD stage 13.3% vs. 10% in GOLD II vs. 20% in GOLD III and 23.3% of patients in GOLD IV. Conclusion: Undiagnosed LVD in COPD patients without previously diagnosed CVD was highly prevalent. These results highlight the need for regular echocardiography screening to reduce morbidity and mortality in these patients.