Heart rhythm disorders in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Abstract

Background: There are variable data about heart rhythm disorders in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) receiving treatment with bronchodilators.

Aim: To study heart rhythm disorders in patients with COPD receiving permanent treatment with bronchodilators.

Material and methods: The study included 31 patients with stage II and III COPD, mean age 58.4±4.7 years and 15 healthy controls, comparable by age and sex. Holter ECG recording (Hr) and analysis of heart rate variability (HRV) were performed. The following parameters were determined: temporal-SDNN (standard deviation of normal RR), RMSSD (square root of the sum of square differences NN intervals), VLF (spectral power undulations in very low frequency range), LF (low frequency range corrugations power), LF/HF (report of low frequency undulations power and high frequency).

Results: Among the most common rhythm disorders premature atrial complexes in 27 (87.1%) patients were determined. In 15 (48.4%) patients paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia and in 8 (25.8%) premature ventricular complexes were diagnosed. We determined SDNN decrease by 14.4% (p<0.05), RMSSD decrease by 23.8% (p<0.01), VLF by 2.1% (p<0.01) and an increase in LF by 10.6% (p<0.05) and LF/HF ratio by 11.8% (p<0.05), which suggests a significant disturbance of the autonomic nervous system balance.

Conclusion: The presence of premature atrial complexes, paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia and premature ventricular complexes and the predominance of sympathetic over parasympathetic influences were determined in COPD patients receiving bronchodilators.