Assessment of clinical status and characteristics of patients with chronic heart failure and concomitant chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Pathology of cardiovascular and respiratory systems still dominants in the structure of morbidity and mortality of the population. Comorbidity of these conditions is characterized by the phenomenon of mutual complications and a significantly worsened prognosis in these patients. Purpose of study. Evaluation of the clinical status and the efficiency of treatment of patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) and concomitant chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Material and methods. The study included 102 patients (58 men and 44 women, mean age 65.7 ± 4.5 years). Based on the results of spirometry, the patients were divided into 2 groups: the main group included 54 patients suffering from CHF in conjunction with COPD, the control group included 48 patients with CHF without bronchopulmonary pathology. All patients underwent the Six Minute Walk Test (SMWT); severity of dyspnea was measured by the Borg scale. Results. Patients with comorbid disorders had a higher functional class (FC) of CHF and a more pronounced decrease in exercise tolerance accompanied by a greater degree of dyspnea. They more frequently used diuretics and less frequently β-blockers. Conclusion. The combination of CHF and COPD is associated with a higher CHF FC which negatively affects the clinical status of patients and is accompanied by more frequent use of diuretics and rare intake of β-blockers.