Ventilation disorders and arterial stiffness indicators in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
The aim of the study was to identify the correlation between ventilation disorders of the lungs and the development of arterial stiffness in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Methods. The following parameters were evaluated in the patients (n = 61) enrolled in the study: spirometry, bodyplethysmography, cardiac-ankle vascular index (CAVI) and an ancho-brachial vascular index. Additionally, the pulse wave propagation velocity was calculated in the area from the ostium of the aorta to the infragenicular arteries. Results. According to the study results, a direct correlation, characterized by moderate to noticeable strength, was found between the parameters of pulmonary ventilation (bronchial resistance, intrathoracic gas volume, residual lung volume (RLV), total lung capacity (TLC), RLV/TLC) and the CAVI parameter, characterizing vascular stiffness on the section from the aorta ostium to the infragenicular arteries. It was shown that the best method for assessing changes in blood vessels is CAVI, which is independent of the level of blood pressure at the moment of the study. Conclusion. It has been established that if there is a correlation between impaired ventilation and arterial stiffness, the systemic nature of the lesion in COPD is confirmed, which explains the high incidence of cardiovascular diseases in patients with COPD.