Abstract Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients are at high risk of developing cardiovascular diseases. Airflow limitation is a predictor of future risks of hypertension and cardiovascular events, such as atrioventricular block, complete right bundle branch block, etc. Atrioventricular block in COPD patients may occur due to chronic hypoxaemia, inflammation, and fibrosis of the conduction system. Cardiac arrhythmias are more common in situations of acute exacerbation, respiratory failure, and increasing comorbidities, and COPD increases this risk. On the other hand, COPD is associated with increased rates of cardiovascular and all-cause mortality. We present an 83-year-old man with a 20-year history of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and a 15-year history of hypertension, who presented with wheezing, breathlessness, fever and a cough productive of yellowish sputum. He was admitted on account of an acute infective exacerbation of COPD. He had a pacemaker implanted due to Atrioventricular block and was found to have reduced left ventricular systolic function (ejection fraction of 47%). Despite improvement in symptoms after treatment, his oxygen saturation remained refractory. A plan for domiciliary oxygen therapy was arranged, and the patient was discharged home. This case highlights the complex interplay between COPD and cardiovascular disease (CVD), which share common risk factors and pathophysiological pathways. Patients with COPD are two to five times more likely to develop cardiovascular disease, including cardiac conduction abnormalities like Atrioventricular block. Recognising and managing cardiovascular disease in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is crucial to improving patient outcomes. This case report emphasises the importance of integrated care for patients with COPD and CVD, particularly those with cardiac conduction abnormalities. Clinicians should be aware of the potential cardiovascular complications in COPD patients and manage them accordingly to reduce morbidity and mortality. This abstract is funded by: Not funded
Obiefuna et al. (Fri,) studied this question.