Abstract
Background: Arterial stiffness (AS) indicates decreased arterial elasticity and damage in the vessel wall. It is an independent determining factor for cardiovascular (CV) events. Acute exacerbation in COPD (AECOPD ) can result in a major systemic effect due to hypoxemia and systemic inflammation.
Objective: We aimed to investigate the effects of AECOPD on arterial stiffness (AS) in patients admitted to our hospital.
Method: Study population was consisted of 25 patients who had been admitted to our hospital between May and December 2011 with AECOPD and 21 healthy controls. Arterial stiffness and blood pressure of subjects were determined using radial artery applanation tonometry and sphygmomanometry.
Results: The average AS values were 1498.00±699.35 dyne.sec.cm-5 in patients with mild hypoxemia, 2095.09±883.31 dyne.sec.cm-5 in those with moderate hypoxemia, and 2077.66±99.15 dyne.sec.cm-5 in those with severe hypoxemia. There was a statistically significant difference in values of AS, compared between mild hypoxemia (PaO2≥60 mm Hg) and moderate and severe hypoxemia (PaO2<60 mm Hg) (p=0.047). Arterial stiffness was significantly higher, while the large artery elasticity index (LAEI) and small artery elasticity index (SAEI) were lower in the patient group as compared to the control group (p=0.002, p=0.043, and p=0.036, respectively).
Conclusion: LAEI and SAEI were lower, while AS was higher in COPD patients as compared to healthy individuals. Severe exacerbations with hypoxemia might increase CV risks. Measuring arterial stiffness might be an effective method in predicting cardiovascular events and risks in COPD patients.
- Copyright ©ERS 2015