Asker S, et al. - In this cross-sectional study, researchers determined the serum levels of trace minerals/heavy metals in severe COPD patients, COPD patients with pulmonary hypertension (PH) and healthy controls. They also determined their correlations to demographic, clinical, and biochemical variables. Relative to the control group, the features exhibited by COPD patients included older age, higher rates of smoking habit, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension. In addition to bilaterally increased carotid intima-media thickness, higher serum levels of Co, Cu, and Fe were also reported in COPD patients. Overall, in patients with COPD and PH, altered serum levels of trace minerals and heavy metals may be detected.