Malerba M, et al. – The aim of this cross–sectional study was to examine the prevalence and extent of endothelial dysfunction in patients with stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The findings suggested that endothelial dysfunction in stable COPD patients was probably implicated in the high cardiovascular co–morbidity. The authors also recommended the potential utility of endothelial dysfunction evaluation in patients with COPD in order to a timely assessment and treatment for cardiac complications.

Methods

• For the purpose of this study, Peripheral Arterial Tonometry (PAT) was measured by post-ischemic reactive hyperemia index (RHI) in sixteen COPD patients, sixteen healthy controls and sixteen subjects with treated systemic arterial hypertension (AH) and examined with covariates condition (dyslipidemia, and medications).

Results

• The present study showed that the prevalence of endothelial dysfunction was significantly higher in COPD group than in the other groups.
• It was noted that mean RHI was significantly lower in COPD patients compared with the other groups.
• At linear regression FEV1 and RHI were directly correlated (Spearman index = 0.553; p=0.026).
• COPD patients in groups C and D according to Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) stages demonstrated lower RHI compared with patients classified as A and B (p<0.01).
• At multiple regression analysis the presence of dyslipidemia, COPD and AH were related to the presence of endothelial dysfunction.