[Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and cardiovascular diseases - 'cardiopulmonary continuum'].

[Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and cardiovascular diseases - 'cardiopulmonary continuum']. Pneumonol Alergol Pol. 2014;82(6):590-6 Authors: Batura-Gabryel H, Grabicki M Abstract Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterised by persistent airflow limitation and extrapulmonary comorbidities, which contribute to the overall severity. Some risk factors, with tobacco smoking as the most serious one, lead to a chronic, systemic inflammation that plays the main role in the pathogenesis of COPD and comorbidities, including cardiovascular diseases (CVD). The course of COPD is diverse; it depends on pathologies in the respiratory system and on other organ dysfunctions. CVDs are the most commonly recognised comorbidities in COPD patients. The severity and natural course of COPD, as well as quality of the patient's life, are influenced by them. CVDs are frequently the reason for hospitalisation and may lead to death. They are also an important prognostic factor. Comorbidities may prolong exacerbation of COPD. On the other hand, COPD is an independent risk factor of CVD. The prevalence of COPD is high in patients suffering from coronary artery disease, and airflow limitation is a major risk factor for chronic heart failure. These complex interactions between heart and lung can be denoted as 'cardiopulmonary continuum'. These dependencies are not recognised in detail. Currently research is being done, which attempts to expl...
Source: Pneumonologia i Alergologia Polska - Category: Respiratory Medicine Authors: Tags: Pneumonol Alergol Pol Source Type: research