Markers of Right-Sided Heart Failure as Predictors of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Objectives: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is an inflammatory disease with systemic manifestations. Heart failure (HF) is the most critical heart condition associated with COPD. Lung diseases are probably associated with right ventricular (RV) dysfunction, but few studies have investigated this. In this study, we identified whether the prevalence of RV dysfunction among patients with COPD is higher than that among patients without COPD. Materials and Methods: In this retrospective cross-sectional study, we included active/former smokers over the age of 40 years with pulmonary function testing (PFT) at the American University of Beirut Medical Center from January to December 2014 and echocardiography within 1 year of the PFT. We classified a total of 135 patients into two groups: a COPD group and a non-COPD control group. Results: COPD was significantly associated with increased odds of increased pulmonary vascular resistance (adjusted odds ratio: 1.99, 95% confidence interval: 1.15-3.46), after adjusting for age, gender, smoking, HF, and diastolic dysfunction. However, COPD was not associated with tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (p=0.15). Conclusion: Echocardiographic RV dysfunction is associated with COPD. Future prospective research can help put things into perspective and help differentiate COPD severity and projection.