EC Pulmonology and Respiratory Medicine

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has considerable effects on cardiac functions, including those of the right ventricle, left ventricle, and pulmonary blood vessels. Most of the increased mortality associated with COPD is due to cardiac involvement. Detection of CVD in early stage is important for therapeutic and prognostic implication.

Materials and Methods: A prospective study consisted of 50 COPD patients were selected and staged by PFT using FEV1/FVC AND FEV1 values and evaluated by ECG and echocardiography.

Results: On evaluation of 50 COPD cases, its commonly seen in persons above 40 years of age i.e. in the 6^th and 7^th decade with mean age of 62 ± 8.93 years. Out of this 38% had normal Echocardiographic parameters. Based on GOLD guidelines, the no. of Mild, Moderate, Severe and Very severe COPD patients participated in the study are 2, 11, 22 and 15 respectively. In study population 62% had positive echo changes, which constituted 93.3% of very severe, 54.54% of severe and 18.18% of moderate cases. Mild cases had no positive echo findings.

Conclusion: ECG and ECHO, being rapid, non-invasive, portable, and easily available, can be routinely recommended for COPD patients as it is useful method for early detection of cardiovascular disease and better management. A more aggressive approach to treat the COPD patients can be taken so that onset of Cor pulmonale would be delayed.

 Keywords: COPD; Echocardiogram; ECG Changes; Cardiovascular Changes; Spirometry

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