This overview provides guidance on managing concurrent COPD and heart failure, addressing diagnostic challenges like spirometry interpretation and the complex effects of medications on both diseases.
Coincidence of COPD and heart failure (HF) is challenging as both diseases interact on multiple levels with each other, and thus impact significantly on diagnosis, disease severity classification, and choice of medical therapy. The current overview aims to educate caregivers involved in the daily management of patients with HF and (possibly) concurrent COPD in how to deal with clinically relevant issues such as interpreting spirometry, the potential role of extensive pulmonary function testing, and finally, the potential beneficial, but also detrimental effects of medication used for HF and COPD on either disease.
Güder et al. (Mon,) conducted a review in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Heart Failure. This overview provides guidance on managing concurrent COPD and heart failure, addressing diagnostic challenges like spirometry interpretation and the complex effects of medications on both diseases.