TY - JOUR T1 - Prevalence of pulmonary arterial hypertension and right ventricular dysfunction in COPD patients in the Kirov region of Russia JF - European Respiratory Journal JO - Eur Respir J VL - 38 IS - Suppl 55 SP - p1022 AU - Julia Chuyasova AU - Vasiliy Pyankov AU - Elena Poyarkova Y1 - 2011/09/01 UR - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/38/Suppl_55/p1022.abstract N2 - Purpose: To estimate the prevalence of pulmonary artery hypertension (PAH) and right ventricular (RV) dysfunction in COPD patients in the Kirov region of Russia.Material and methods: 1088 COPD patients (mean age 55±14 years, 97% men and 3% women) were studied. All the patients underwent physical examination, laboratory investigations and transthoracic echocardiography. RV end-diastolic diameter, RV wall thickness and right atrium (RA) area were measured. The systolic pulmonary arterial pressure (PAP) was measured by pulsed Doppler (systolic PAP = tricuspid regurgitation pressure gradient + estimated RA pressure). RA pressure was estimated based on the diameter and respiratory variation of the inferior vena cava. Mean PAP was calculated with formula: mean PAP = 0.61×PA systolic pressure + 2 mm Hg. Global RV systolic function was estimated using RV myocardial performance index and RV fractional area change. RV diastolic function was assessed using transtricuspid E/A ratio and E/E' ratio.Results: PAH (systolic PAP > 37 mmHg and mean PAP > 25 mmHg) was detected in 40.3% of cases (438 patients). Right ventricular (RV) remodeling and dysfunction were revealed in all COPD patients with PAH. Diastolic RV dysfunction was detected in 100% and systolic RV dysfunction - in 12.8% of those cases (56 patients).Conclusions: Our study confirmed high prevalence of PAH and RV dysfunction in COPD patients in the Kirov region of Russia. Prognosis of these patients is characterized by an increased risk of death. Physicians should detect PAH in COPD patients as early as possible and start treatment for prevention complications. ER -