Comparative analysis of central aortic blood pressure, pulse wave velocity & arterial stiffness in patients with obstructive airway disease.

BACKGROUND

As the pulmonary system and cardiovascular system are intimately linked, patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma have high risk for developing cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and altered central hemodynamic.

OBJECTIVE

We aim to assess the central aortic blood pressure (CABP) indices, pulse wave velocity (PWV) and other indicators of arterial stiffness in Indian patients with COPD and bronchial asthma.

METHODS

This is a single-center, cross-sectional study conducted in outpatients diagnosed with either chronic stable phase of COPD or bronchial asthma. CABP indices, vascular age, arterial stiffness and central hemodynamics were measured in patients.

RESULTS

Of 193 patients with obstructive airway disease who were enrolled, (n = 81 had COPD and n = 112 had partially-controlled bronchial asthma) the proportion of male patients was higher in both groups. The PWV, augmentation index (AI) and vascular age (VA) were significantly higher in patients with COPD compared to those with bronchial asthma (all, p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The study showed that PWV, AI and VA were higher in patients with stable COPD without any cardiac comorbidities compared to bronchial asthma.