Study of Cardiovascular Complications In Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease With Reference to ECG And 2D Echocardiography Findings

To study the electrocardiography and echocardiography findings in COPD patients and to correlate these findings with duration and severity of the disease and compare the results of clinical, ECG and echocardiographic evidence of RV dysfunction. Patients were selected over one year and studied with a detailed history including symptoms, duration of smoking and physical examination. They were investigated with spirometry, ECG and echocardiography. Patients were graded into Mild, Moderate, Severe and Very Severe categories according to GOLD criteria. Statistical analysis of association was done with Chi-square test and statistical significance were taken as p < 0.05.Mean age was 59.9±10.4 years with male predominance. Mean duration of disease was 5.71 years. Patients had a mean duration of smoking of 23.2 ±3.6 pack years. ECG findings showed significant correlation with severity were low voltage complexes and incomplete RBBB and ECHO findings showed significant correlation with RVH, RVF, Pulmonary Hypertension and Cor pulmonale. Diagnosis of the cor-pulmonale clinically was 36%, ECG 56%, echocardiographically 60%. COPD is more common in males in 5th to 7th decade in  the smoking history of more than 20 pack years. Most patients have advanced disease at presentation. The incidence of the ECG and Echo findings increase as the severity and duration of the disease increases and echocardiography is better than ECG or clinical methods in detecting RV dysfunction.