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Turmeric has renop rotective effects that can act to reduce oxidative stress and inflammation in hemodialysis (HD) patients. Piperine has been indicated as a bioavailability enhancer of turmeric and consequently of its biological effects. However, data on the efficacy of the turmeric/piperine combination in HD patients are limited. We aimed to verify whether turmeric supplementation in combination with piperine has a superior effect to turmeric alone in increasing antioxidant capacity and reducing oxidative stress and inflammation in HD patients.This randomized, double-blind clinical trial was conducted in HD patients (age 20-75 years). Patients were supplemented with turmeric (3 g/day) or turmeric/piperine (3 g turmeric + 2 mg piperine/day) for 12 weeks. Malondialdehyde (MDA), antioxidant enzymes catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase (GR), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), and ferritin were evaluated at baseline and the end of the study.There was a reduction in the MDA and ferritin levels in the turmeric/piperine group and in the comparison between groups at the end of the study [MDA: -0.08(-0.14/0.01) nmol/mL versus -0.003(-0.10/0.26) nmol/mL, p = 0.003; ferritin: -193.80 ± 157.29 mg/mL versus 51.99 ± 293.25 mg/mL, p = 0.018]. In addition, GPx activity reduced in the turmeric group (p = 0.029). No changes were observed for CAT, GR, and hs-CRP.Turmeric plus piperine was superior to turmeric alone in decreasing MDA and ferritin levels. The use of a combination of turmeric and piperine as a dietary intervention may be beneficial for modulating the status oxidative and inflammation in HD patients.RBR-2t5zpd; Registration Date: May 2, 2018.

Poly-3-hydroxybutyrate (P(3HB)) and poly-3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyhexanoate (P(3HB-co-3HHx)) are biocompatible and bioabsorbable biopolymers produced by different bacteria with potential for drug delivery in thermo-responsive magnetic microcarriers. Microparticles of P(3HB) and P(3HB-co-3HHx), with 5.85% mol of 3HHx, produced by Burkholderia sacchari, containing nanomagnetite (nM) and lipophilic hormone were prepared by simple emulsion (oil/water) technique leading to progesterone (Pg) encapsulation efficiency higher than 70% and magnetite loads of 3.1 and 2.3% (w/w) for P(3HB)/nM/Pg and P(3HB-co-3HHx)/nM/Pg, respectively. These formulations were characterized by Infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, Thermal gravimetric analysis and Electron microscopy (TEM, SEM) techniques. The P(3HB)/nM/Pg and P(3HB-co-3HHx)/nM/Pg microparticles presented spherical geometry with wrinkled surfaces and average size between 2 and 40 μm for 90% of the microparticles. The release profiles of the P(3HB)/nM/Pg and P(3HB-co-3HHx)/nM/Pg formulations showed a hormone release trigger (6.9 and 11.1%, respectively) effect induced by oscillating external magnetic field (0.2 T), after 72 h. Progesterone release in non-magnetic tests with P(3HB-co-3HHx)/nM/Pg revealed a slight increment (5.6%) in relation to P(3HB)/nM/Pg. The experimental release of the P(3HB)/nM/Pg and P(3HB-co-3HHx)/nM/Pg samples presented a good agreement with Higuchi model. The 3HHx comonomer content improves the hormone release of the P(3HB-co-3HHx)/nM/Pg formulation with potential for application to synchronize the estrous cycle.

American Cutaneous leishmaniasis (ACL) is a public health problem. The immunological response is mainly dependent on T cell cytokine responses and might influence disease presentation, susceptibility and development. The understanding of the host immune response role in the control and in the pathology of leishmaniasis is relevant and has implications on diagnosis, follow-up and vaccine development. In this study, the differences in the immune response and T cell profile of patients before treatment was investigated through flow cytometry and real time PCR in peripheral blood mononuclear cells after different antigenic stimulations. Among the main findings are the significant presence of TNF and IFN-γ gene expression after 24 h of in vitro stimulation, and 48 h later the presence of CD4+ T and CD8+ T cells producing IL-10 and IL-4. This may be due to the differences in cytokine release over time and the presence of cells other than lymphocytes influencing the mRNA transcript detection. Evaluation of the immune response of individuals with leishmaniasis or other diseases should associate different technologies and times points for a clear and more reliable assessment of the immune response. This would help in the design of vaccine strategies/immunotherapies.

The incorporation of additives in films has been used to improve their characteristics. In this study, the 50% ethanol extract of E. japonica Lindl. leaves was added at 2 and 4% (w/w) to the filmogenic solution of banana peel flour and the films obtained were evaluated for their physical, mechanical, barrier and antioxidant properties, as well as their morphological characteristics. A cornstarch film was also prepared for comparison purposes. The addition of the extract did not alter lightness, hue, opacity, and the infrared spectrum of the films, which resembled the banana peel flour film without extract. However, in the two films with extract there was a reduction in tensile strength, elastic modulus, and permeability to water vapor. The film containing 4% extract had higher color intensity, thickness, elongation at break, puncture deformation, solubility, antioxidant activity, and phenolic compounds, while puncture strength decreased. The starch film differed significantly from the others in all evaluations, except in biodegradability, since all films were biodegradable. The morphological structure of banana peel films was continuous and compact, showing roughness. The edible films of banana peel flour were poorly resistant but very flexible compared to the starch film. Therefore, banana peel films might be applied to the coating of perishable foods aiming to increase shelf life.

RESUMO: Na sarcoidose a evolução das provas de função respiratória (volumes, débitos, stCpl e TLCO) condiciona a decisio terapêutica. Uma diminuiçãoâ¥a10% em pelo menos dois parâmetros é aceite por muitos autores como suficiente para iniciar cortico-terapia. Habitualmente considera-se a TLCO/VA mais fidedigna que a TLCO não corrigida, embora não haja unanimidade no que refere à s doenças do interstício pulmonar, e particularmente a sarcoidose.Propusemo-nos a avaliar comparativamente estes dois testes nos doentes com sarcoidose e, posterior-mente, o melhor deles com outros parâmetros funcionais habitualmente utilizados na avaliação destes doentes.Admitimos como parâmetro indicador de doença a TAC de alta resolução e com ela comparámos a sensibilidade e a especificidade da TLCOSB e TLC0SB/VA. Os critérios de inclusão foram: 1. presença de sarcoidose confirm ada por biópsia, 2. TAC de alta resolução e provas de função respiratória com determinação de TLCOSB e TLCOSB /VA na altura da apresentação da doença. Estudaram-se 81 doentes, com idade media de 43.5 anos, desvio padrão 12.8, sendo 79% (64) mulheres e 89% (71) não fumadores. 43 doentes não tin bam doença parenquimatosa na TAC (TAC em estadio 0 ou I) e 38 doentes tin ham doença parenquímatosa na TAC (TAC em estadio II, III ou IV).Através da analise de Mc Nemar comparámos a sensibilidade e a especificidade da TLC0SB e da TLCOSB/VA (normalâ¥a 80%) em detectar e excluir doença. A especificidade da TLCOSB é significativamente superior à da TLCOSB/VA (p=0.0016), não havendo diferença significativa para a sensibilidade.Quando comparámos com a TLCOSB a especificidade e a sensibilidade da capacidade vital (CV), da capacidade pulmonar total (CPT) e da compliance estática (stCpl) verifiámos que a TLCOSB é significativamente mais sensível que os outros parâmetros (p=0.001; 0.0001; 0.005) mas igualmente específica. A área sob a curva ROC(%) respectivamente para a TLCOSB, TLCOSB/VA, CV, CPT e stCpl é 79.7%, 66.8%, 75.7%, 74.5% e 64.9%.Em conclusão, a especificidade da TLCOSB é significativamente superior à da TLCOSB/VA na exclusão de alterações intersticiais polmonares oeste grupo de doentes com sarcoidose, devendo serem as suas alterações preferencialmente valorizadas. à também mais sensfvel que os outros parâmetros avaliadosREV PORT PNEUMOL 1998; IV (6): 591-597 ABSTRACT: The evolution of lung function tests (LFT) can be useful in the decision of initiating (or reinstituting) treatment of sarcoidosis. Usually TLCO/VA is more reliable than TLCO, but this is not clear for interstitial lung diseases including sarcoidosis.The aim of our study is to compare these two tests in patients with sarcoidosis. The best of them will be inturn compared with other lung function tests usually used in sarcoidosis' evaluation. High resolution computed tomography (HRCT) enabled us to determine the presence or absence of long disease. Afterwards, we determined the sensibility and specificity of TLCOSB and TLCOSB/VA.Patient-choosing criteria were:1. patients with biopsy proven sarcoidosis2. HRCT and LFT with TLCOSB and TLCOSB/VA at presentation time.We studied 81 patients (average age 43.5±12.8, 64/81 females and 71/81 non smokers). 43 patients (53.1%) had no pulmonary disease in HRCT and 38 patients (46.9%) had lung disease.We compared the sensibility and specificity of TLCOSB and TLCOSB/VA (normalâ¥80%). The specificity of TLCOSB is significantly greater than the specificity of TLCOSB/VA and the sensibility of TLCOSB is significantly greater than the sensibility of vital capacity (VC), total lung capacity (TLC) and static compliance (stCpl).The ROC area (%) was: TLCOSB (79.7%), TLCOSB/VA (66.8%), VC (75.7%), TLC (74.5%) and stCpl (64.9%).In patients with sarcoidosis, the TLCOSB seems to be the most precocious lung function test in assessing lung disease. The patient evolution, determined by the TLCOSB, must be taken into account.REV PORT PNEUMOL 1998; IV (6): 591-597 Key-words: Sarcoidosis, Lung function tests, TLCOSB, TLCOSB/VA, Palavras-chave: Sarcoidose, Provas funcionais respiratórias, TLCOSB, TLCOSB/VA

RESUMO: A Legionella pneumophila é uma bacteria comum do ambiente e um agente causal importante de pneumonias graves da comunidade. O diagnóstico em fase precoce da doença, nem sempre é fácil.Procedemos a um estudo retrospectivo, com o objectivo de caracterizar os doentes intemados na Unidade de Cuidados lntensivos Respiratórios (UCIR), com o diagnóstico de pneumonia a Legionella pneumophila (pLp), durante dez anos (1986-1996). Foram analisados doze processos clinicos que repre-sentavam 6,7% das pneumonias da comunidade intemados nesse perfodo. Comparam-se também as pneumonias a Legionella pneumophila com as outras pneumonias da comunidade, durante o mesmo perído de internamento. Onze doentes eram do sexo masculino e uma do sexo feminino, comidade média de 49,6±11, 9 anos. O TISS foi de 25,8±9,5, o APACHE II de 23,4±6,5 e o APS de 20,3±6,5. Apenas 1 doente não necessitou de ventilação medcânica, tendo sido o tempo médio de ventilação de 11,5±12,5 dias (min: 1 e máx: 44). Quatro pneumonias ocorreram fora da época sazonal habitual e só quatro doentes tinham história epidemiológica sugestiva. Apenas um doente, não tinha factores de risco. A confirmação diagnóstica foi feita por serologia e imunonuorescência directa das secreçõs brônquicas. Em relação às complicaçõoes, 9 doentes tiveram disfunção hepática, 7 insuficiência renal, 1 endocardite e 1 desenvolveu SDRA. A septicemia noscomial, ocorreu em 5 doentes. Faleceram 58,3% dos doentes que tinham índices de gravidade mais elevados.Os doentes com pLp, apresentavam maior gravidade que se traduziu por uma maior necessidade de suporte ventilatorio. A mortalidade embora mais elevada nos doentes com pLp (58,3% versus 31,8%), não foi significativamente diferente nos dois grupos quando consideramos apenas os doentes ventilados.Os autores concluem que a pneumonia da comunidade causada por Legionella pneumophila, é uma situaçã o grave que se acompanha de morbilidade e mortalidade consideraveis. Esta etiologia deve ser consideráveis, mesmo fora da epoca sazonal habitual, nas pneumonias graves do adulto sobretudo naqueles com factores de risco, pelo que a terapêutica antibiótica empírica deverá ter um espectro que inclua esta entidade.REV PORT PNEUMOL 1998; IV (2): 139-145 SUMMARY: Legionella pneumophila (LP) is a common bacteria of the environment, and it is an agent responsible for severe community acquired pneumonia (CAP). We analyzed the, 12 patients with Lp pneumonia admitted in our Respiratory ICU during the last 10 years (1986-1996). They represented 6,7% of CAP. Eleven patients were males and 1 female, with mean age 49,6±11,9 years. TISS was 25,8±9,5 and APACRE II 23,4±6,5. All, but 1 patient, were under mechanical ventilation (MV) during a mean period of 11,5±12,5 (min: 1, max:44) days.Four pneumonias occurred beyond the season, while only 4 patients had an epidemiological history. Only 1 patient had no risk factor. In all the others tobacco smoking and alcohol abuse were quite frequent. Diagnosis was based on serologic test and culture or direct fluorescent antibody staining of bronchial secretions.Eleven patients had a multisystemic disease with hepatic dysfunction in 9, renal failure in 7 (due to rhabdomyolysis in 4). One patient had a endocarditis and another developped ARDS. Nosocomial septicaemie occurred in 5 patients.Mortality rate was 58,3%. Deceased patients bad initially higher APACHE n, (A-a) 02, and lower natremia. Comparing Lp pneumonia with the other CAP (n=166), both submitted to MV, the higher mortality rate was not significant statisticly (58,3% versus 31,8%). In conclusion Lp pneumonia can occur all over the year. There was a high incidence of severe complications and outcome was similar to the other CAP when requiring MV.REV PORT PNEUMOL 1998; IV (2): 139-145 Key-words: Legionella pneumophila, Pneumonia, Mechanical ventilation, Palavras-chave: Legionella pneumophila, Pneumonia, Ventilação mecânica

RESUMO: A clearance do DTPA marcado com 99mTc pode ser um método não invasivo para determinar a Permeabilidade Epitelial Pulmonar (PEP). Os objectivos do nosso estudo consistiram em avaliar a PEP de doentes com sarcoidose por aquele método e: 1) Correlacionar o seu valor com os testes funcionais respiratórios â capacidade vital (CV), volume expiratório máximo no primeiro segundo (VEMS), compliance pulmonar estática (St Cpl), difusão de monóxido de carbono (DLCO) e pressão arterial de oxigénio (PaO2) com a TAC, com a fixação pulmonar de Gallium 67 e com o valor de enzima conversora de angiotensina (ECA); 2) Avaliar sea PEP poderá preverá evolução da doença pulmonar, podendo ser, nessa perspectiva, um indicador útil a ter em conta na decisão de tratar a sarcoidose pulmonar.Estudámos 34 doentes com sarcoidose confirmada por biópsia (idade média 43.3±10.9, 27/34 do sexo feminino, 20% estadio 0, 23% estadio 1, 26% estadio n e 31% estadio III ou IV, tempo de evolução da doença 3. 7±5.4 anos). Os doentes foram divididos em dois grupos: a) com PEP normal â grupo 0 (n=14), b) com PEP aumentada â grupo 1 (n=20). O teste Anova e o teste de Fisher foram utilizados para testar 1. A analise da covariância e teste de Mc Nemar foram utilizados para testar 2.Encontrámos uma correlação estatisticamente significativa entre os valores da PEP e a CV (G0=102.6±18.3vsG1=86.4±19.7, p=0.01), FEV1, (G0=105.4±20.5 vs G1=85.8±21.5, p=0.0 19), DLCO (G0=100.4 19.4 vs G1=83.2±22.2, p=0.02) e cintigrafia pulmonar com Gallium 67 positiva (p=0.05). Os nossos resultados sugeriram ainda que a PEP poderá prever a evolução da compliance pulmonar estática (p=0.069).Parece assim que a determinação da PEP através da clearance de99mTc â DTPA possivelmente será útil na decisão clínica de iniciar (ou reiniciar) tratamento, em doentes com sarcoidose pulmonar. ABSTRACT: SARCOIDOSIS THERAPY: IMPORTANCE OF PEP DETERMINATION: Clearance of 99mTc â DTPA may be a non invasive way to determinate Pulmonary Epithelial Permeability (PEP). The aim of our study was to assess PEP of patients with sarcoidosis and: 1) To correlate its value with the initial lung function tests values - VC, FEV1, St Cpt, DLCO, PaO2, TC, 67 Gallium pulmonary fixation and SACE determinations; 2) To evaluate if PEP can predict patients evolution after one year of follow up, being a valid indicator to decide about pulmonar sarcoidosis treatment.We studied 34 patients with biopsy proven sarcoidosis (mean age 43.3±10.9, 27/34 females, 20% stage 0, 23% stage 1, 26% stage II, 3 1% stage III, mean time of disease evolution 3. 7±5.4 years).Patients were divided in two groups a) normal PEP â Group 0 (n=14) b) increased PEP â Group 1 (n=20). Anova and Fisher testes were used to test 1) and study of change was made by Me Nemar test and analysis of covariance to test 2). We found a significant correlation of PEP values and VC (G0=102.6±18.3 vs G1=86.4±19.7, p=0.01), FEV, (G0=105.4±20.5 vs G1=85.8±21.5, p=0.019), DLCO (G0=100.4±19.4 vs G1=83.2±22.2, p=0.02) and lung 67 Gallium positivity (p=0.05). Regarding predictability of evolution there was a sugestion that initial PEP value would predict evolution of St Cpl (p=0.069).Our results suggest that PFP evaluation are probably useful in the decision of initiating (or reinstituting) treatment in pulmonary sarcoidosis. Key Words: Sarcoidosis treatment, Pulmonary Epithelial Permeability, Palavras chave: Terapêutica na sarcoidose, Permeabilidade Epitelial Pulmonar

RESUMO: A obstrução das vias aéreas centra is tem múltiplas etiologias. Estas obstruções põem problemas de dificil resolução para o broncoscopista dependendo das causas e localização da estenose, da sintomatologia e do grau de urgência.A obstrução maligns das vias aéreas é a mais frequente (77,1% na nossa casuística) quer por invasão por tumor exofitico quer por compressão extrínseca tumoral/compressão por invasão linfática mediastínica (CNPCP-59 doentes; CPPC-1 doente; Tumores metastáticos-7 doentes; Tumores raros-4).As estenoses benignas resultam habitualmente de entubação traumática ou são secundárias a ventilação prolongada. Na nossa casuístics, esta situação encontrou-se em 22,9% dos casos, devidos sobretudo a estenose traqueal pós entubação.A nossa experiência inclui 70 tratamentos laser em 54 doentes, 38 tratamentos laser mais colocações de prótese em 30 doentes e 12 colocações de próteses em 8 doentes, de Junho/93 a Junho/95. 81,4% dos doentes eram homens e 19,6% mulheres, com idades compreendidas entre 18 e 78 anos.As compticações foram poucas e podem considerar-se ' típicas' destes procedimentos técnicos. A mortalidade global foi de 0,83% (1 doente). ABSTRACT: Central airways obstruction has multiple etiologies. These obstructions put difficult problems to the bronchoscopist depending on the cause and localization of the stenosis, on the symptomatology and on the degree of emergency.The most common lesion is malignant airway obstruction (77, 1% in our series) either by endoluminal exophytic tumor invasion or by extrinsic tumor/mediastinal limph node compression (NSCLC-59 patients; SCLC-1 patient; Metastatic lung tumors-7 patients; Rare pulmonary neoplasms-4 patients).Benign stenosis usually results from intubation trauma or long term ventilation. In our series, a benign origin was present in 22,9% of the cases, mainly due to post entubation tracheal stenosis.Our experience includes 70 laser treatments in 54 patients, 38 laser plus stent in 30 patients and 12 stent placements in 8 patients, from June/93 through June/95. 81,4% of the patients were men and 19,6% women, with ages ranging from 18 to 78 years.Complications to date have been few and we consider them 'typical' in such procedures. the overall mortality is 0,83% (1 patient). Palavras-chave: Laserterapia, Próteses Traqueobrônquicas, Broncologia de intervenção, Key-words: Lasertherapy, Trachcobronchial Stents, Interventional Bronchology

RESUMO: A presença de Hipertensão Pulmonar e de Cor Pulmonale é um factor de mau prognóstico no contexto da Doença Pulmonar Crónica Obstrutiva.A Ecocardiografia modo M. bidimensional e Doppler é um método não invasivo que permite avaliar as alterações morfológicas e funcionais do coração direito e estimar a Pressão Sistólica na Artéria Pulmonar.No entanto, condicionantes vários como a hiperinsuflação pulmonar, as alterações da parede torácica e a obesidade frequentemente presentes em doentes com patologia respiratória crónica, podem impedir a obtenção de exame com boa qualidade téscnica.O objectivo deste trabalbo é avaliar a exeqwoilidade deste método nos doentes com Doença Pulmonar Crónica Obstrutiva e correlacionar os dados obtidos por Ecocardiografia com os aspectos clinicos sugestivos de falência cardíaca direita.Foram estudados 35 doentes, 29 do sexo masculino e 6 do sexo feminino, com idade média de 66,2 anos, com Doença Pulmonar Crónica Obstrutiva seguidos na Consults de Oxigenioterapia de Longa Duração do Serviço de Pneumologia do Hospital de Santa Maria.Cada doente realizou um Ecocardiograma modo M, bidimensional e Doppler para determinação da espessura da parede livre do ventrículo direito (VD), do diâmetro da cavidade ventricular direita e da Pressão Sistólica na Artéria Pulmonar (PAPs) utilizando as vias paraesternal esquerda, apical e subcostal.Em 80% dos doentes estudados obtiveram-se registos satisfatórios que permitiram determinar a espessura da parede livre do VD, avaliar o diâmetro desta cavidade e estimar a PAPs.Foram registados critérios de Hipertrofia Ventricular Direita em 75% dos registos validados (espessura média da parede livre do VD - 7,1±1,3 mm) e critérios de dilatação ventricular direita em 25% dos casos.Em 60% destes doentes conseguiu-se estimar a PAPs a partir do fluxo de Insuficiência Tricúspide. O valor médio da PAPs foi de 60±21,6 mmHg, registando-se critérios de Hipertensão Pulmonar (HTP) em 77% dos casos estimados.Nos doentes em que não foi possível quantificar a PAPs procedeu-se à avaliação do fluxo da câmara de saida do VD. Destes, 66% apresentavam critérios sugestivos de HTP.Dos doentes com critérios ecocardiográficos sugestivos de Hipertrofia ventricular direita 50% apresentavam história clínica de um ou mais episódios prévios de falêncla cardíaca direita.Dos doentes com critérios ecocardiográficos de dilataçãio do VD 83% apresentavam história clínica de um ou mais episódios prévios de falência cardíaca direita.Os dados preliminares parecem assim sugerir que a Ecocardiografia é um método não invasivo útil na avaliaçãio dos doentes com Doença Pulmonar Crónica Obstrutiva permitindo o diagnóstico precoce de Cor Pulmonale e a quantificação da PAPs. ABSTRACT: NON INVASIVE DIAGNOSIS OF PULMONARY HYPERTENSION AND COR PULMONALE IN PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASEPulmonary hypertension and cor pulmonale are indicators of poor prognosis in patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).M-mode, bidimensional and Doppler echocardiography is a non invasive technique usefull in the assessment of the morphological and functional characteristics of the right heart and usefull in the evaluation of the systolic pulmonary artery pressure (sPAP).Yet, some characteristics often present in these patients such as pulmonary emphysema, obesity and deformities of the thoracic wall make difficult the obtention of adequate recordings.The aim of this study was to analyse the feasibility of this method in patients with COPD and to compare its sensitivity to clinical methods in the assessment of Pulmonary Hipertension and Cor Pulmonale in these patients.Thirty-five patients with COPD under long therm Oxigeniotherapy were studied by M-mode, bidimensional and Doppler Echocardiography using left paraesternal, apical and subcostal views, in order to assess the thickness of the free right ventricula wall, the dimension of the right ventricle and the Pulmonary systolic pressure.Adequate recordings were obtained in 80% of the patients.75% of the patients bad echocardiographic: criteria of right ventricular hypertrophy (thickness of the right ventricular wall - 7,1±1,3 mm) and 25% bad echocardiograpbic criteria of right ventricular dilatation.In 60% of the patients it was possible to estimate the sPAP through the measurement of the peak velocity of the tricuspid regurgitant jet.The mean value of the sPAP was 60Ã21,6 mmHg. Ecbocardiographic criteria of pulmonary hypertension were recorded in 77% of the patients.When it was not possible to estimate de sPAP we recorded the pulmonic ejection flow. Using this approach 77% of the cases studied had echocardiographic criteria of Pulmonary Hypertension.50% of the patients with echocardiographic criteria of right ventricular hypertrophy had clinical evidence of right heart failure while 83% of the patients with echocardiograpbic criteria of right ventricular dilatation had clinical evidence of right heart failure.The preliminary data sugest that echocardiography is usefull as a non invasive method in the evaluation of patients with COPD allowing the early diagnosis of Cor Pulmonale and the quantification of the sPAP. Palavras-chave: Ecocardiografia, hipertensão pulmonar, cor pulmonale, doença pulmonar crónica obstrutiva, Key-words: Echocardiography, Pulmonary Hypertension, Cor Pulmonale, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease