Left ventricular function in patients with advanced stages of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in correlation with GOLD classification system
Authors: Anastasova Ass professor Dr. SashaKjaeva- , Kostovski Dr.Lazar , Kostovska Prof, Dr. ElizabetaSrbinovska-Kostovska , Nivichka Dr. Jana , Kjaev Pro., Dr. Ivo 
Published: May 2024

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a systemic inflammatory disease, with irreversible airflow obstruction, disease with high morbidity and early mortality rate. COPD is not just a disorder limited to the lungs. As the disease progresses, extra pulmonary co morbidities occur, where cardiovascular diseases are the most common. They mostly affect the right side of the heart, but sometimes changes also occur on the left side of the heart, as a result of long-term strain from the right ventricle (RV) and pulmonary hypertension which follows COPD. Material and methods: The design of our study was prospective-clinical crosssectional study with 2 years follow up. In the study were included 94 patients with previously confirmed chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with spirometry and classified by Tiffeneau index in four gold classes. We have analyzed the values of some echocardiographic parameters that were selected as indicators of left heart function, and also we have analyzed them in relation to the progression of COPD from milder to more severe Golden classes, such as: left ventricular diastolic dimension (LvdD - mm), left ventricular ejection fraction (EF %), myocardial performance index (MPI) of the left ventricle, global longitudinal strain (Gl strain - %) of LV, diastolic function (E/e'). Echo analysis was done by Vivid 7 echo machine with a special feature to left heart chamber characteristics and function. Results: All echocardiographic parameters analyzed in our study, underline their significance in disease progression in patients with COPD and increasing Gold classes. A varies of statistical methods and parameters were used to evaluate: left ventricular diastolic dimension(mm), Ejection fraction of left ventricle (%), MPI of the left ventricle obtain by Tissue Doppler, GL strain of left ventricle (%) and E/e' in correlation of disease progression and GOLD class. Echo-parameters MPI of the left ventricle and Global longitudinal strain LV (%), progressively grow with the rise of the gold class (form I to IV). On the contrary the values of the parameters LvdD and EF% gradually decrease with the progression of the disease and gold class. Echocardiographic parameter GL strain LV % has the highest value and statistically by decreasing the values of this parameter the risk of disease progression from gold stage I/II to Gold stage III/IV is 1.570 times higher, with high statistical significance(p<0,01). The calculated value of the parameter EF% is lower than 0,75, which indicates that the model of prediction is not the best one but it's acceptable. Conclusion: COPD is a progressive disease that affects the dimensions of the right and left heart chambers, as well as the function of both chambers and the development of pulmonary hypertension. Monitoring echocardiographic parameters intended for assessment cardiac dimension and function can help tо predict disease progression for timely inclusion of specific therapeutic strategies. We suggest screening of all COPD patients for cardiac assessment using echocardiography as a non-invasive and repeatable method for their follow-up.