Abstract
Introduction: Cognitive impairment is highly prevalent in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and may be a potential obstacle to the effectiveness of respiratory therapy. Patients with dementia have a pronounced disturbance in their cerebrovascular hemodynamics (such as cerebral hypoperfusion and increased downstream vascular resistance) and patients with COPD who had cognitive impairment also showed an altered cerebral perfusion.
Aim: To evaluated cerebrovascular hemodynamics in stable COPD by means point-of-care transcranial doppler ultrasonography.
Methods: This is a descriptive study among patients with stable COPD. We assessed cerebrovascular hemodynamics using transcranial Doppler to assess flow velocity (related to cerebral perfusion), resistance index and pulsatility index (both are related to vascular resistance) in the middle cerebral artery (MCA). Transcranial Doppler was done through temporal bone window on both sides of the skull via a 1–5 MHz phased array ultrasound transducer with a TCD preset.
Results: Twelve patients (6 male; mean age, 61,7 years) with stable COPD were assessed. The mean blood flow velocity in middle cerebral artery were decreased in 10 patients (mean flow velocity of 42,5 cm/s). The pulsatility index in middle cerebral artery were increased in 5 patients (mean pulsatility index of 1,03) and resistance index were normal in all patients (mean resistance index of 0,6).
Conclusions: This study showed decreased cerebral perfusion but normal values of indexes of cerebral vascular resistance in stable COPD patients.
Footnotes
Cite this article as: European Respiratory Journal 2020; 56: Suppl. 64, 92.
This abstract was presented at the 2020 ERS International Congress, in session “Respiratory viruses in the "pre COVID-19" era”.
This is an ERS International Congress abstract. No full-text version is available. Further material to accompany this abstract may be available at www.ers-education.org (ERS member access only).
- Copyright ©the authors 2020