Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in heart failure. Prevalence, therapeutic and prognostic implications

Cardiorespiratory fitness in COPD and HF from the Fitness Registry and the Importance of Exercise: a National Database

Aims

To better characterize functional consequences of the presence of COPD on cardiorespiratory fitness in patients with HF.

Methods and results

Patients with any clinical indication for cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) were included in the international FRIEND registry. Diagnosis of COPD was confirmed by a ratio of forced expiratory volume in 1 s and forced vital capacity (FEV1/FVC) < 0.70. HF was diagnosed in the presence of symptoms and signs of HF. A total of 10 957 patients were divided into four groups: patients without HF or COPD (n = 8963), patients with HF (n = 852) or COPD (n = 991) alone, and patients with both HF and COPD (n = 151). Maximal workload was the lowest in patients with both HF and COPD [78.09 (95% CI: 72.92, 83.64 watts)], and all pairwise comparisons with adjusted P < 0.05 between groups were statistically significant. Patients with both HF and COPD yielded the lowest PETCO2 values [31.80 (95% CI: 31.00, 32.60)] mmHg and exhibited a higher VE/VCO2 slope compared with HF (36.73 (95% CI: 35.78, 37.68) vs. 33.91 (95% CI: 33.50, 34.33 units, P  < 0.0001). Peak VO2 was the lowest with concomitant HF and COPD 19.93 (95% CI: 18.60, 21.27) mL/kg/min and was significantly different compared with all other groups (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

Patients referred for CPET with COPD and concomitant HF exhibit a profound impairment in CRF compared with patients with COPD or HF alone. Early identification of pulmonary obstruction in patients with HF by more frequent usage of pulmonary function testing may contribute to providing better treatment for both COPD and HF in these high-risk individuals.

Utility of Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A Review

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a disease defined by airflow obstruction with a high morbidity and mortality and significant economic burden. Although pulmonary function testing is the cornerstone in diagnosis of COPD, it cannot fully characterize disease severity or cause of dyspnea because of disease heterogeneity and variable related and comorbid conditions affecting cardiac, vascular, and musculoskeletal systems. Cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) is a valuable tool for assessing physical function in a wide range of clinical conditions, including COPD. Familiarity with measurements made during CPET and its potential to aid in clinical decision-making related to COPD can thus be useful to clinicians caring for this population. This review highlights pulmonary and extrapulmonary impairments that can contribute to exercise limitation in COPD. Key elements of CPET are identified with an emphasis on measurements most relevant to COPD. Finally, clinical applications of CPET demonstrated to be of value in the COPD setting are identified. These include quantifying functional capacity, differentiating among potential causes of symptoms and limitation, prognostication and risk assessment for operative procedures, and guiding exercise prescription.

The Use of β-Blockers in Heart Failure with Reduced Ejection Fraction

Treatment with β-blockers is the main strategy for managing patients with heart failure and reduced ejection fraction because of their ability to reverse the neurohumoral effects of the sympathetic nervous system, with consequent prognostic and symptomatic benefits. However, to date, they are underused, mainly because of the misconception that hypotension and bradycardia may worsen the haemodynamic status of patients with HFrEF and because of the presence of comorbidities falsely believed to be absolute contraindications to their use. To promote proper use of β-blockers in this article, we review the clinical pharmacology of β-blockers, the evidence of the beneficial effects of these drugs in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction, and the current guidelines for their use in clinical practice and in the presence of comorbidities (e.g., pulmonary disease, diabetes, atrial fibrillation, peripheral arterial disease, etc.). It is hoped that the practical approach discussed in this review will allow for a proper diffusion of knowledge about the correct use of β-blockers and the drug-disease interactions to achieve their increased use and titration, as well as for the selection of a specific agent with a view to a properly tailored approach for HFrEF patients.

Development of a Novel Intervention (Mindful Steps) to Promote Long-Term Walking Behavior in Chronic Cardiopulmonary Disease: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial

BACKGROUND

Despite current rehabilitation programs, long-term engagement in physical activity remains a significant challenge for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and heart failure (HF). Novel strategies to promote physical activity in these populations are greatly needed. Emerging literature on the benefits of both mind-body interventions and web-based interventions provide the rationale for the development of the Mindful Steps intervention for increasing walking behavior.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to develop a novel multimodal mind-body exercise intervention through adaptation of an existing web-based physical activity intervention and incorporation of mind-body exercise, and to pilot test the delivery of the new intervention, Mindful Steps, in a randomized controlled feasibility trial in older adults with COPD and/or HF.

METHODS

In phase 1, guided by a theoretical conceptual model and review of the literature on facilitators and barriers of physical activity in COPD and HF, we convened an expert panel of researchers, mind-body practitioners, and clinicians to inform development of the novel, multimodal intervention. In phase 2, we are conducting a pilot randomized controlled feasibility trial of the Mindful Steps intervention that includes in-person mind-body exercise classes, an educational website, online mind-body videos, and a pedometer with step-count feedback and goals to increase walking behavior in patients with COPD and/or HF. Outcomes include feasibility measures as well as patient-centered measures.

RESULTS

The study is currently ongoing. Phase 1 intervention development was completed in March 2019, and phase 2 data collection began in April 2019.

CONCLUSIONS

Through the integration of components from a web-based physical activity intervention and mind-body exercise, we created a novel, multimodal program to impact long-term physical activity engagement for individuals with COPD and HF. This developmental work and pilot study will provide valuable information needed to design a future clinical trial assessing efficacy of this multimodal approach.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03003780; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03003780.

INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID)

DERR1-10.2196/27826.

Evaluating the impact of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease on in-hospital outcomes following left ventricular assist device implantation

BACKGROUND

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a cause of ventricular dysfunction. However, in the setting of patients with heart failure undergoing left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation, there is a paucity of data on the association between COPD and in-hospital outcomes.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Retrospective cohort study based on the NIS including patients ≥18 years who underwent LVAD implantation from 2011 to 2017. Multivariate regression was used to evaluate the impact of COPD on in-hospital outcomes. A total of 25,503 patients underwent LVAD implantation, of which 13.8% also had COPD. COPD group was older (median 62 vs. 58 years), and more males (82% vs. 76.4%, p < .001 for both). COPD group had more hypertension, diabetes, atrial tachyarrhythmias, dyslipidemia, prior stroke, coronary artery diseases, pulmonary hypertension, and chronic kidney disease (p < .001 for all). No differences in strokes, infections, mechanical circulatory support, and LVAD thrombosis. There was a higher incident of inpatient acute kidney injury, major bleeding, cardiac complications, thromboembolism, and cardiac arrest in patients without COPD (p < .05 for all). Compared with no-COPD group, COPD group had a lower mortality (6.2% vs. 12.4%; odds ratio, 0.59; confidence interval, 0.512-0.685; p < .05).

CONCLUSION

Patients with COPD undergoing LVAD implantation have more comorbidities, without an associated increase mortality.

[Influence of co-morbidities on the progression and prognosis of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in a Tunisian Hospital]

Introduction

la broncho-pneumopathie chronique obstructive (BPCO) s’associe fréquemment avec des comorbidités. L’objectif de notre travail est d'étudier l'impact des comorbidités sur l’évolution et le pronostic de la BPCO.

Méthodes

il s’agit d’une étude rétrospective incluant des patients porteurs de BPCO hospitalisés et/ou suivis à la consultation de Pneumologie au Centre Hospitalo-Universitaire Fattouma Bourguiba de Monastir entre Janvier 2000 jusqu’à Décembre 2017. Les patients ont été répartis initialement en deux groupes, le groupe G0: BPCO isolée et le groupe G1: au moins une comorbidité. Nous avons divisé les patients du groupe G1 en deux sous-groupes: Groupe A: patients ayant 1-2 comorbidités et Groupe B: ≥ 3 comorbidités associées. Nous avons comparé les différents paramètres de sévérité de la BPCO entre les différents groupes.

Résultats

en tout 1152 patients BPCO ont été inclus. Soixante-dix-neuf pourcent des patients avaient au moins une pathologie chronique associée à leur BPCO. La présence d’au moins une comorbidité était associée à l'augmentation du nombre des exacerbations sévères (p = 0,004), avec plus de recours à l’oxygène longue durée (p = 0,006) et à une survie réduite (p = 0,001). De même, un nombre de comorbidités plus important (≥ 3 comorbidités) était associé à une inflammation systémique plus importante, à un recours plus fréquent à la ventilation mécanique ou la ventilation non invasive (p = 0,04) et à une survie réduite (p = 0,05).

Conclusion

la présence de comorbidités au cours de la BPCO s’associe à une sévérité plus importante et un pronostic plus sombre de la maladie.

Abstract

Changes in Pulmonary Function in Patients With Advanced Heart Failure Listed for Heart Transplantation

BACKGROUND

Pulmonary function tests (PFTs) are often impaired in patients with advanced heart failure. There is limited data about their impact on survival after heart transplantation (HT). We sought to assess the prevalence and type of PFT abnormalities in patients on HT waiting list and their impact on outcomes.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective analysis of a prospective registry of consecutive patients undergoing HT between 2012 and 2018. Patients were classified into 4 groups according to pre-HT PFT results: 1. normal pattern: forced vital capacity (FVC) ≥ 80% and forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV₁) to FVC ratio (FEV₁/FVC) ≥ 0.7; 2. obstructive: FEV₁/FVC < 0.7; 3. nonobstructive: FEV₁/FVC ≥ 0.7 and FVC < 80% when total lung capacity value was not available; and 4. restrictive: FEV₁/FVC ≥ 0.7 and total lung capacity < 80%. The prevalence of impaired carbon monoxide diffusing capacity corrected for hemoglobin < 80% and FEV₁ < 70% was also analyzed. High-urgency HT patients and those referred from other centers without quantitative pulmonary evaluation were excluded.

RESULTS

Among 123 patients who underwent HT, 83 patients with complete PFT were included. Median follow-up was 2.7 ± 1.9 years. Of these, 29 (34.9%) had an obstructive pattern, 20 (24.1%) a nonobstructive, 18 (21.7%) a restrictive, and 16 (19.3%) a normal pattern. Fifty-one (61.4%) patients had FEV₁ < 70% and 58 (69.9%) a carbon monoxide diffusing capacity corrected for hemoglobin < 80%. There was a tendency to lower survival in all altered PFT groups compared with normal (P = .054) but not within the other groups. Patients with an impaired FEV₁ had significantly higher mortality than patients with normal values (P = .008). Area under receiver operating characteristic curve for FEV₁ was 0.73 (95% confidence interval [0.60-0.86]). A cutoff value of FEV₁ (60.5) predicts mortality with 66% sensitivity and 64% specificity.

CONCLUSIONS

PFT alterations have a very high prevalence on HT waiting list patients. Patients with impaired FEV₁ had worse outcomes after heart transplantation.

Impact of COPD diagnosis timing on clinical and economic outcomes: the ARCTIC observational cohort study

Purpose: Assess the clinical and economic consequences associated with an early versus late diagnosis in patients with COPD. Patients and methods: In a retrospective, observational cohort study, electronic medical record data (2000-2014) were collected from Swedish primary care patients with COPD. COPD indicators (pneumonia, other respiratory diseases, oral corticosteroids, antibiotics for respiratory infections, prescribed drugs for respiratory symptoms, lung function measurement) registered prior to diagnosis were applied to categorize patients into those receiving early (2 or less indicators) or late diagnosis (3 or more indicators registered >90 days preceding a COPD diagnosis). Outcome measures included annual rate of and time to first exacerbation, mortality risk, prevalence of comorbidities and health care utilization. Results: More patients with late diagnosis (n=8827) than with early diagnosis (n=3870) had a recent comorbid diagnosis of asthma (22.0% vs 3.9%; P<0.0001). Compared with early diagnosis, patients with late diagnosis had a higher exacerbation rate (hazard ratio [HR] 1.89, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.83-1.96; P<0.0001) and shorter time to first exacerbation (HR 1.61, 95% CI: 1.54-1.69; P<0.0001). Mortality was not different between groups overall but higher for late versus early diagnosis, after excluding patients with past asthma diagnosis (HR 1.10, 95% CI: 1.02-1.18; P=0.0095). Late diagnosis was also associated with higher direct costs than early diagnosis. Conclusion: Late COPD diagnosis is associated with higher exacerbation rate and increased comorbidities and costs compared with early diagnosis. The study highlights the need for accurate diagnosis of COPD in primary care in order to reduce exacerbations and the economic burden of COPD.

Airflow limitation more than doubles the risk for hospitalization/mortality in patients with heart failure

BACKGROUND

Comorbid chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is found in approximately one-third of patients with heart failure. Survival in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease generally decreases as lung function declines. However, the association between lung function, hospitalization and survival is less clear for patients with heart failure.

AIM

The purpose of this study was to determine the predictive power of spirometry measures for event-free survival (combined all-cause hospitalization and/or mortality) in patients with heart failure.

METHODS

In this secondary analysis of data from three prospective, longitudinal studies, we selected patients with a confirmed diagnosis of heart failure who completed airflow limitation assessment using spirometry measures ( n=137): forced vital capacity, forced expiratory volume/second, and forced expiratory volume/second/forced vital capacity. Cox proportional hazards modeling was used to determine the relationship between spirometry and all-cause hospitalization/mortality with and without adjusting for demographic and clinical covariates over a four-year follow-up period.

RESULTS

A majority (74%) exhibited some degree of airflow limitation (forced expiratory volume/second<80% predicted value) and 26 (19%) met the spirometric criterion for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (forced expiratory volume/second/forced vital capacity⩽0.70). Cox proportional hazards regression models compared all-cause hospitalization/mortality between those with and without airflow limitation. Patients with airflow limitation were 2.2 times more likely to be hospitalized or die compared to those without airflow limitations (hazard ratio: 2.20, 95% confidence interval 1.06-4.53, p=0.03).

CONCLUSION

Patients with comorbid heart failure and airflow limitation were at more than double the risk for an event. Spirometric measures may be useful to patients with heart failure, as tailored management of airflow limitation may impact event-free survival.

Restrictive Spirometry Pattern, Cardiac Structure and Function, and Incident Heart Failure in African Americans. The Jackson Heart Study

RATIONALE

Although chronic obstructive pulmonary disease has been related to heart failure, the relationship between the restrictive spirometry pattern (forced vital capacity [FVC] < 80% predicted with preserved forced expiratory volume in 1 second [FEV1]/FVC ratio) and heart failure is poorly understood.

OBJECTIVES

To determine whether having a restrictive spirometry pattern is associated with incident heart failure hospitalization.

METHODS

Community-dwelling African Americans from the Jackson Heart Study (total n = 5,306; analyzed n = 4,210 with spirometry and heart failure outcome data) were grouped by restrictive spirometry (FEV1/FVC ≥ 0.70, FVC < 80%; n = 840), airflow obstruction (FEV1/FVC < 0.70; n = 341), and normal spirometry (FEV1/FVC ≥ 0.70, FVC ≥ 80%; n = 3,029) at the time of baseline examination in 2000-2004. We assessed relationships of echocardiographic parameters and biomarkers with spirometry patterns using regression models. Incident heart failure was defined as an adjudicated hospitalization for heart failure after January 1, 2005 in subjects with no self-reported heart failure history. We used multivariable-adjusted Poisson regression models and Cox proportional hazards models, with death treated as a competing risk in the Cox models, to test associations between spirometry patterns and incident heart failure. We also modeled the association of FVC% predicted with heart failure hospitalization risk using a restricted cubic spline after excluding subjects with airflow obstruction.

RESULTS

At the time of baseline spirometry, participants with restrictive spirometry had a median age of 57.2 years (interquartile range, 47.8-64.1); 38.1% were male. Compared with normal spirometry, restrictive spirometry was associated with a higher transmitral early (E) wave velocity to atrial (A) wave velocity ratio, higher pulmonary artery systolic pressure, and higher endothelin levels. After a median follow-up time of 8.0 years, 8.0% of subjects with restrictive spirometry (n = 67) had developed incident heart failure, compared with 3.8% of those with normal spirometry (n = 115) and 10.6% of those with airflow obstruction (n = 36). After risk adjustment, both a restrictive pattern (hazard ratio [HR], 1.5; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.1-2.0) and airflow obstruction (HR, 1.7; 95% CI, 1.1-2.5) were associated with increased rates of incident heart failure hospitalization compared with normal spirometry. Using flexible modeling, the lowest hazards of heart failure hospitalization were observed around FVC 90-100%, with lower FVC% values associated with an increased incidence of heart failure.

CONCLUSIONS

Both a restrictive pattern on spirometry and airflow obstruction identify African Americans with impaired lung health at risk for heart failure.

Rehabilitation of Patients with Coexisting COPD and Heart Failure

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and chronic heart failure (CHF) frequently coexist, significantly reducing the patient's quality of life (QoL) and increasing morbidity, disability and mortality. For both diseases, a multidisciplinary disease-management approach offers the best outcomes and reduces hospital readmissions. In both conditions, muscle dysfunction may dramatically influence symptoms, exercise tolerance/performance, health status and healthcare costs. The present review describes muscular abnormalities and mechanisms underlying these alterations. This review also discusses studies on training programs for patients with COPD, CHF and, where available, combined COPD-CHF diagnosis. Dyspnea, peripheral muscles and activities of daily living (ADL) represent a potential starting point for improving patients' functioning level and quality of life in COPD and CHF. A synergy of the combined diagnostic, pharmacological and rehabilitation treatment interventions is also essential. Integration between exercise training, drug therapy and nutritional care could be a valid, synergic and tailored approach for patients presenting with both diseases, and may have a positive impact on the exercise performance.

Emergency department management of acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: factors predicting readmission

Rationale

Readmissions are common following acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) and are partially responsible for increased morbidity and mortality in COPD. Numerous factors have been shown to predict readmission of patients previously admitted to hospital for AECOPD; however, factors related to readmission in patients who are triaged in emergency departments (EDs) and sent directly home are poorly understood. We postulate that patients seen in the ED for AECOPD and directly sent home have a high readmission rate, and we suspect that inadequate management and follow-up contribute to this high readmission rate.

Methods

We conducted a 1-year retrospective study of all patients seen in the ED for AECOPD at an inner-city tertiary care hospital; 30- and 90-day readmission rates for COPD and all-cause admissions to the ED and hospital were determined. Patients discharged directly home from the ED were compared with those admitted to hospital for management. Patient, treatment, and system variables that could potentially impact readmission were documented. Multivariate Poisson regression models were used to determine which factors predicted readmissions.

Results

The readmission rates in the ED group (n=240) were significantly higher than that in the hospitalized group (n=271): 1) the 90-day ED readmissions (1.29 vs 0.51, p<0.0001) and 30-day ED readmissions (0.54 vs 0.20, p<0.0001) (ED vs hospitalized groups) were significantly higher in the ED group; 2) the time to first readmission was significantly shorter in the ED group than in the hospitalized group (24.1±22 vs 31.8±27.8 days; p<0.05). Cardiovascular comorbidities (p<0.00001), substance abuse disorder (p<0.001), and mental illness (p<0.001) were the strongest predictors of readmission in the ED group. Age (p<0.01), forced expiratory volume in 1 second (p<0.001), and cardiovascular comorbidities (p<0.05) were the best predictors for both 30- and 90-day COPD readmission rates in the ED group. Only 50% of the ED group patients received bronchodilators, oral steroids, and antibiotics inclusively, and only 68% were referred for community follow-up. The need for oral steroids to treat AECOPD predicted future 90-day COPD readmissions in the ED group (p<0.003).

Conclusion

Patients discharged directly home from EDs have a significantly higher risk of readmission to EDs than those who are hospitalized. One possible reason for this is that COPD management is variable in EDs with <50% receiving appropriate therapy.

The prognostic significance of lung function in stable heart failure outpatients

BACKGROUND

This study investigated the impact on all-cause mortality of airflow limitation indicative of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or restrictive spirometry pattern (RSP) in a stable systolic heart failure population.

HYPOTHESIS

Decreased lung function indicates poor survival in heart failure.

METHODS

Inclusion criteria: NYHA class II-IV and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) < 45%. Prognosis was assessed with multivariate Cox proportional hazards models. Two criteria of obstructive airflow limitation were applied: FEV₁ /FVC < 0.7 (GOLD), and FEV₁ /FVC < lower limit of normality (LLN). RSP was defined as FEV₁ /FVC > 0.7 and FVC<80% or FEV₁ /FVC > LLN and FVC <LLN.

RESULTS

There where 573 patients in the cohort (85% of eligible patients in study period). Median follow-up was 4.7 years and 176 patients died (31%). Age, NYHA class, smoking, body mass index and LVEF were independent prognostic factors (p<0.01). Obstructive airflow limitation increased mortality using both criteria (HR_GOLD 2.07 [95% CI 1.45-2.95] p<0.01 and HR_LLN 2.00 [1.40-2.84] p<0.01) and was an independent marker when using LLN criteria (HR 1.74 [1.17-2.59] p=0.006). RSP was independently associated with mortality when defined as FVC < LLN (HR 1.54 [1.01-2.35] p=0.04) but not as FVC < 80%. Multivariate hazard ratios for a 10% decrease in predicted value of FEV1 or FVC were 1.42 (p<0.001) and 1.33 (p<0.001) in patients exhibiting airflow obstruction, and 1.36 (p=0.031) and 1.38 (p=0.041) in RSP.

CONCLUSIONS

Presence of obstructive airflow limitation indicative of COPD or RSP were associated with increased all-cause mortality, however only independently when using the LLN definition.

Evaluation for airway obstruction in adult patients with stable ischemic heart disease

Background

Ischemic heart disease (IHD) and chronic airway disease (COPD and Asthma) are major epidemics accounting for significant mortality and morbidity. The combination presents many diagnostic challenges. Clinical symptoms and signs frequently overlap. There is a need for airway evaluation in these patients to plan appropriate management.

Methods

Consecutive stable IHD patients attending the cardiology OPD in a tertiary care centre were interviewed for collecting basic demographic information, brief medical, occupational, personal history and risk factors for coronary artery disease and airway disease, modified medical research centre (MMRC) grade for dyspnea, quality of life-St. George respiratory questionnaire (SGRQ), spirometry and six-min walk tests. Patients with chronic airway obstruction were treated as per guidelines and were followed up at 3rd month with spirometry, six-minute walk test and SGRQ.

Results

One hundred fourteen consecutive patients with stable cardiac disease were included (Males-88, Females-26). Mean age was 58.89 ± 12.24 years, 53.50% were smokers, 31.56% were alcoholics, 40.35% diabetics, 47.36% hypertensive. Twenty five patients had airway obstruction on spirometry (COPD-13 and Asthma-12) and none were on treatment. Thirty-one patients had cough and 48 patients had dyspnea. Patients with abnormal spirometry had higher symptoms, lower exercise tolerance and quality of life. Treatment with appropriate respiratory medications resulted in increase in lung function, quality of life and exercise tolerance at 3rd month.

Conclusion

Chronic respiratory disease in patients with stable IHD is frequent but often missed due to overlap of symptoms. Spirometry is a simple tool to recognize the underlying pulmonary condition and patients respond favorably with appropriate treatment

Impact of airflow limitation in chronic heart failure

Background

Comorbidities are common in chronic heart failure (HF) patients, but diagnoses are often not based on objective testing. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is an important comorbidity and often neglected because of shared symptoms and risk factors. Precise prevalence and consequences are not well known. Therefore, we investigated prevalence, pulmonary treatment, symptoms and quality of life (QOL) of COPD in patients with chronic HF.

Methods

205 patients with stable HF for at least 1 month, aged above 50 years, were included from our outpatient cardiology clinic, irrespective of left ventricular ejection fraction. Patients performed post-bronchodilator spirometry, a six-minute walk test (6-MWT) and completed the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire (KCCQ). COPD was diagnosed according to GOLD criteria. Restrictive lung function was defined as FEV₁/FVC ≥0.70 and FVC <80% of predicted value. The BODE and ADO index, risk scores in COPD patients, were calculated.

Results

Almost 40% fulfilled the criteria of COPD and 7% had restrictive lung disease, the latter being excluded from further analysis. Noteworthy, 63% of the COPD patients were undiagnosed and 8% of those without COPD used inhalation therapy. Patients with COPD had more shortness of breath despite little difference in HF severity and similar other comorbidities. KCCQ was significantly worse in COPD patients. The ADO and BODE indices were significantly different.

Conclusion

COPD is very common in unselected HF patients. It was often not diagnosed and many patients received treatment without being diagnosed with COPD. Presence of COPD worsens symptoms and negatively effects cardiac specific QOL.

Prevalence of airflow obstruction in patients with stable systolic heart failure

Background

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is an important differential diagnosis in heart failure (HF). However, routine use of spirometry in outpatient HF clinics is not implemented. The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence of both airflow obstruction and non obstructive lung function impairment in patients with HF and to examine the effect of optimal medical treatment for HF on lung function parameters.

Methods

Consecutive patients with HF (ejection fraction (EF) < 45%) and New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class II-IV at 10 different outpatient heart failure clinics were examined with spirometry at their first visit and after optimal medical treatment for HF was achieved. airflow obstruction was classified and graded according to the GOLD 2011 revision.

Results

Baseline spirometry was performed in 593 included patients and 71 (12%) had a clinical diagnosis of COPD. Mean age was 69 ± 11 years and mean EF was 30 ± 9%. Thirty-two % of the patients were active smokers and 53% were previous smokers. Mean FEV₁ and FVC was 77.9 ± 1.7% and 85.4 ± 1.5% of predicted respectively. Obstructive pattern was observed in 233 (39%) of the patients. Of these, 53 patients (9%) had mild disease (GOLD I) and 180 (30%) patients had moderate to very severe disease (GOLD II-IV). No difference in spirometric variables was observed following up titration of medication.

Conclusion

In stable patients with HF airflow obstruction is frequent and severely underdiagnosed. Spirometry should be considered in all patients with HF in order to improve diagnosis and treatment for concomitant pulmonary disease.

Challenges in the Management of Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Heart Failure With Reduced Ejection Fraction

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) commonly coexist in clinical practice. The prevalence of COPD among HFrEF patients ranges from 20 to 32 %. On the other hand; HFrEF is prevalent in more than 20 % of COPD patients. With an aging population, the number of patients with coexisting COPD and HFrEF is on rise. Coexisting COPD and HFrEF presents a unique diagnostic and therapeutic clinical conundrum. Common symptoms shared by both conditions mask the early referral and detection of the other. Beta blockers (BB), angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, and aldosterone antagonists have been shown to reduce hospitalizations, morbidity, and mortality in HFrEF while long-acting inhaled bronchodilators (beta-2-agonists and anticholinergics) and corticosteroids have been endorsed for COPD treatment. The opposing pharmacotherapy of BBs and beta-2-agonists highlight the conflict in prescribing BBs in COPD and beta-2-agonists in HFrEF. This has resulted in underutilization of evidence-based therapy for HFrEF in COPD patients owing to fear of adverse effects. This review aims to provide an update and current perspective on diagnostic and therapeutic management of patients with coexisting COPD and HFrEF.

Oxygen Uptake Efficiency Slope and Breathing Reserve, Not Anaerobic Threshold, Discriminate Between Patients With Cardiovascular Disease Over Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

OBJECTIVES

The study sought to compare the relative discrimination of various cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPX) variables between cardiac and respiratory disease.

BACKGROUND

CPX testing is used in many cardiorespiratory diseases. However, discrimination of cardiac and respiratory dysfunction can be problematic. Anaerobic threshold (AT) and oxygen-uptake to work-rate relationship (VO2/WR slope) have been proposed as diagnostic of cardiac dysfunction, but multiple variables have not been compared.

METHODS

A total of 73 patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (n = 25), heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) (n = 40), or combined COPD and HFrEF (n = 8) were recruited and underwent CPX testing on a bicycle ergometer. Following a familiarization test, each patient underwent a personalized second test aiming for maximal exercise after ∼10 min. Measurements from this test were used to calculate area under the receiver-operator characteristic curve (AUC).

RESULTS

Peak VO2 was similar between the 2 principal groups (COPD 17.1 ± 4.6 ml/min/kg; HFrEF 16.4 ± 3.6 ml/min/kg). Breathing reserve (AUC: 0.91) and percent predicted oxygen uptake efficiency slope (OUES) (AUC: 0.87) had the greatest ability to discriminate between COPD and HFrEF. VO2/WR slope performed significantly worse (AUC: 0.68). VO2 at the AT did not discriminate (AUC for AT as percent predicted peak VO2: 0.56). OUES and breathing reserve remained strong discriminators when compared with an external cohort of healthy matched controls, and were comparable to B-type natriuretic peptide.

CONCLUSIONS

Breathing reserve and OUES discriminate heart failure from COPD. Despite it being considered an important determinant of cardiac dysfunction, the AT could not discriminate these typical clinical populations while the VO2/WR slope showed poor to moderate discriminant ability. (Identifying an Ideal Cardiopulmonary Exercise Test Parameter [PVA]; NCT01162083).

Cardiovascular and Mortality Outcomes in the Elderly With Impaired Cardiac and Pulmonary Function: The Cardiovascular Health Study (CHS)

BACKGROUND

Impaired pulmonary function (IPF) and left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVSD) are prevalent in the elderly and are associated with significant morbidity and mortality. The main objectives of this study were to examine the relative impact and joint association of IPF and LVSD with heart failure, cardiovascular mortality and all-cause mortality, and their impact on risk classification using a continuous net reclassification index.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We followed 2342 adults without prevalent cardiovascular disease (mean age, 76 years) from the Cardiovascular Health Study for a median of 12.6 years. LVSD was defined as LV ejection fraction <55%. IPF was defined as: forced expiratory volume in 1 second:forced vital capacity <70%, and predicted forced expiratory volume in 1 second <80%. Outcomes included heart failure hospitalization, cardiovascular mortality, all-cause mortality, and composite outcome. LVSD was detected in 128 subjects (6%), IPF in 441 (19%) and both in 38 (2%). Compared to those without LVSD or IPF, there was a significantly increased cardiovascular risk for groups of LVSD only, IPF only, and LVSD plus IPF, adjusted hazard ratio (95% CI) 2.1 (1.5-3.0), 1.7 (1.4-2.1), and 3.2 (2.0-5.1) for HF; 1.8 (1.2-2.6), 1.4 (1.1-1.8), and 2.8 (1.7-4.7) for cardiovascular mortality; 1.3 (1.0-1.8), 1.7 (1.4-1.9), and 2.1 (1.5-3.0) for all-cause mortality, and 1.6 (1.3-2.1), 1.7 (1.5-1.9), and 2.4 (1.7-3.3) for composite outcome, respectively. Risk classification improved significantly for all outcomes when IPF was added to the adjusted model with LVSD or LVSD to IPF.

CONCLUSIONS

While risk of cardiovascular outcomes was the highest among elderly with both LVSD and IPF, risk was comparable between subjects with IPF alone and those with LVSD alone. This observation, combined with improved risk classification by adding IPF to LVSD or LVSD to IPF, underscore the importance of comprehensive heart and lung evaluation in cardiovascular outcome assessment.

[Comorbidities of COPD]

COPD is a slowly progressive chronic respiratory disease causing an irreversible decrease in air flow. The main cause is smoking, which provokes inflammatory phenomena in the respiratory tract. COPD is a serious public health issue, causing high morbidity, mortality and disability. Related comorbidities are linked to ageing, common risk factors and genetic predispositions. A combination of comorbidities increases healthcare costs. For instance, patients with more than two comorbidities represent a quarter of all COPD sufferers but account for half the related health costs. Our review describes different comorbidities and their impact on the COPD prognosis. The comorbidities include: cardiovascular diseases, osteoporosis, denutrition, obesity, ageing, anemia, sleeping disorders, diabetes, metabolic syndrome, anxiety-depression and lung cancer. The prognosis worsens with one or more comorbidities. Clinicians are faced with the challenge of finding practical and appropriate ways of treating these comorbidities, and there is increasing interest in developing a global, multidisciplinary approach to management. Managing this chronic disease should be based on a holistic, patient-centred approach and smoking cessation remains the key factor in the care of COPD patients.

Patients with heart failure and concomitant chronic obstructive pulmonary disease participating in the Heart Failure Pilot Survey (ESC-HF Pilot) - Polish population

INTRODUCTION

There is an increasing interest in comorbidities in heart failure patients. Data about chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in the Polish population of heart failure (HF) patients are scarce. The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical characteristics, treatment differences and outcome according to COPD occurrence in the Polish population of patients participating in the ESC-HF Pilot Survey Registry.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We analyzed the data of 891 patients with HF recruited in 2009-2011 in Poland: 648 (72.7%) hospitalized patients and 243 (27.3%) patients included as outpatients.

RESULTS

The COPD was documented in 110 (12.3%) patients with HF in the analyzed population. Patients with - compared to those without COPD were older, more often smokers, had higher NYHA class, and higher prevalence of hypertension. Ejection fraction (EF) was higher in hospitalized patients with COPD compared to patients without COPD (40.5 ±14.6% vs. 37.2 ±13.7%, p < 0.04), without a significant difference in the outpatient group. There was a significant difference in β-blocker use between patients with and without COPD (81.8% vs. 94.7%, p < 0.0001). Most patients received them below target doses. At the end of the 12-month follow-up, there was no significant difference in mortality between COPD and no-COPD patients (10.9% vs. 11.1%, p = 0.66).

CONCLUSIONS

The findings from the Polish part of the ESC-HF registry indicate that COPD in patients with HF is associated with older age, smoker status, hypertension and higher NYHA class. The use of β-blockers was significantly lower in patients with than without COPD. There were no significant differences in mortality between groups.

Does Improving Exercise Capacity and Daily Activity Represent the Holistic Perspective of a New COPD Approach?

In COPD patients a reduced daily activity has been well documented, resulting from both respiratory and non-respiratory manifestations of the disease. An evaluation by multisensory armband has confirmed that daily physical activity is mainly associated with dynamic hyperinflation, regardless of COPD severity. This aspect is crucial, since exercise capacity is closely correlated to life expectancy. Notwithstanding the causal key role of lung impairment in the patient's symptoms, some authors have suggested that other factors, such as systemic inflammation and co-morbidities, have an important role, particularly as mortality risk factors. Many studies suggest the efficacy of bronchodilators and rehabilitation in improving exercise capacity, and, speaking in terms of daily life, in increasing the number of days in which patients are able to perform their usual activities. On this evidence, the first aim in the management of COPD should be to improve exercise capacity and daily activity since these outcomes have direct effects on patients' quality of life, co-morbidities (heart and metabolic diseases), and prognosis. Thus, improving physical activity represents a modern approach aimed at dealing with both pulmonary and systemic manifestations of the disease. It is however worth of notice to remember that in patients affected by COPD the relationship between the improvement of "potential" exercise capacity and daily physical activity has been found to be only moderate to weak. Obtaining a significant behavior modification with regard to daily physical activity, together with the optimization of therapy thus represents currently the true challenge.

Heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and asthma: numbers, facts, and challenges

Heart failure (HF), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and asthma are considered as major health problems. They affect 1–3%, 4–10%, and 8–19% of population, respectively, and frequently coexist. Pulmonary function testing and echocardiography are needed for reliable diagnosis, but in clinical practice, diagnosis often is based on history and disease self‐reporting. Concomitant HF can be diagnosed in about 20% of patients with COPD, and at least 50% had systolic dysfunction. In patients with HF, prevalence of COPD is up to 35%, and less than 25% of patients have COPD GOLD stage III or IV. COPD is more severe in patients with HF with preserved ejection fraction. When HF and COPD coexist, hazard of death is increased for 39% but can even exceed the mortality in individual disease by threefold. In patients with acute deterioration, natriuretic peptides and lung ultrasound, along with other laboratory biomarkers and imaging, need to be implemented to differentiate underlying cause and to manage patients accordingly. COPD is not contraindication for beta‐blockers, and if used, the risk of death is reduced by 31%; if indicated, cardio‐selective agents can be used in asthma. Recent pan‐European registry reported that about 90% of patients with HF receive beta‐blockers, whereas dosing remains a large unmet need with only 17% being treated with target daily dose. Concurrent HF and COPD reduce the prescription of beta blockers threefold, which results in about 20% of patients actually being treated with beta‐blockers. In COPD/asthma, beta‐agonists are strongly associated with new HF (relative risk of 3.41) and HF hospitalizations (odds ratio of 1.74).

Appropriateness and acceptability of a Tele-Yoga intervention for people with heart failure and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: qualitative findings from a controlled pilot study

BACKGROUND

Heart failure (HF) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are highly prevalent and associated with a large symptom burden, that is compounded in a dual HF-COPD diagnosis. Yoga has potential benefit for symptom relief; however functional impairment hinders access to usual yoga classes. We developed a Tele-Yoga intervention and evaluated it in a controlled pilot trial. This paper reports on the appropriateness and acceptability of the intervention and the evaluation design.

METHODS

A controlled, non-randomised trial was conducted of an 8-week Tele-Yoga intervention versus an educational control (information leaflets mailed to participants with one phone call a week). Biweekly one-hour Tele-Yoga classes were implemented via multipoint videoconferencing that connected participants to live classes via an Internet connection to their televisions. Semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted with participants post study exit to explore reasons for and experiences of participating, including views of study outcome measures and physiological tests. Transcribed interviews were analysed using thematic content analysis.

RESULTS

Fifteen people participated in the pilot study (7 in the intervention group, 8 in the control). Of these, 12 participants were interviewed, 6 in each group, mean age 71.2 years (SD 10.09); 3 were male. Themes are reported in the following categories: acceptability and appropriateness of the intervention, potential active ingredients of the intervention, acceptability and appropriateness of the control, participation in the research, and acceptability of the testing procedures. The intervention was acceptable and appropriate: the intervention group reported enjoying yoga and valuing the home-based aspect and participants described a high symptom burden and social isolation. However, technological problems resulted in poor video-streaming quality for some participants. Potential active ingredients included physical postures, breathing exercises and guidance in relaxation and meditation. The educational control intervention was acceptable and appropriate, with participants reporting little effect on their well-being and no impact on mechanisms hypothesised to explain yoga's effectiveness. The questionnaires and home physiological testing were acceptable to participants.

CONCLUSIONS

Tele-Yoga is an acceptable and appropriate intervention in people with HF and COPD and further research is warranted to refine the technology used in its delivery. Findings provide guidance for researchers working in tele-interventions, yoga, and similar populations.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02078739 (4 March 2014).

Managing comorbidities in COPD

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Age and smoking are common risk factors for COPD and other illnesses, often leading COPD patients to demonstrate multiple coexisting comorbidities. COPD exacerbations and comorbidities contribute to the overall severity in individual patients. Clinical trials investigating the treatment of COPD routinely exclude patients with multiple comorbidities or advanced age. Clinical practice guidelines for a specific disease do not usually address comorbidities in their recommendations. However, the management and the medical intervention in COPD patients with comorbidities need a holistic approach that is not clearly established worldwide. This holistic approach should include the specific burden of each comorbidity in the COPD severity classification scale. Further, the pharmacological and nonpharmacological management should also include optimal interventions and risk factor modifications simultaneously for all diseases. All health care specialists in COPD management need to work together with professionals specialized in the management of the other major chronic diseases in order to provide a multidisciplinary approach to COPD patients with multiple diseases. In this review, we focus on the major comorbidities that affect COPD patients. We present an overview of the problems faced, the reasons and risk factors for the most commonly encountered comorbidities, and the burden on health care costs. We also provide a rationale for approaching the therapeutic options of the COPD patient afflicted by comorbidity.

Serial pulmonary function tests to diagnose COPD in chronic heart failure

Background

It is unknown whether serial pulmonary function tests are necessary for the correct diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in patients with stable non-congested chronic heart failure (CHF). The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of COPD in outpatients with stable CHF without pulmonary congestion using initial as well as confirmatory spirometry three months after treatment for COPD.

Methods

Spirometry was performed in 187 outpatients with stable CHF without pulmonary congestion on chest radiograph who had a left ventricular ejection fraction < 40% (mean age 69 ± 10 years, 78% men). COPD was defined according to the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease guidelines. The diagnosis of COPD was confirmed three months after treatment with tiotropium in newly diagnosed COPD patients.

Results

Using a three month follow-up spirometry to confirm initial diagnosis of de novo COPD did not change COPD prevalence significantly: 32.6% initially versus 32.1% after three months of follow-up. Only 1 of 25 (4%) patients with newly diagnosed COPD was not reproducibly obstructed at follow-up. COPD was greatly under- (19%) and overdiagnosed (32%).

Conclusions

Spirometry should be used under stable and euvolemic conditions to decrease the burden of undiagnosed or overdiagnosed COPD in patients with CHF. Under these conditions, a confirmatory spirometry is unnecessary, as it does not change a newly established diagnosis of COPD in the vast majority of patients with CHF.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier NCT01429376.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s40247-014-0012-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Symptoms and impact of symptoms on function and health in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and chronic heart failure in primary health care

Background

Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and chronic heart failure (CHF) seem to have several symptoms in common that impact health. However, methodological differences make this difficult to compare.

Aim

Comparisons of symptoms, impact of symptoms on function and health between patients with COPD and CHF in primary health care (PHC).

Method

The study is cross sectional, including patients with COPD (n=437) and CHF (n=388), registered in the patient administrative systems of PHC. The patients received specific questionnaires – the Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale, the Medical Research Council dyspnea scale, and the Fatigue Impact Scale – by mail and additional questions about psychological and physical health.

Results

The mean age was 70±10 years and 78±10 years for patients with COPD and CHF respectively (P=0.001). Patients with COPD (n=273) experienced more symptoms (11±7.5) than the CHF patients (n=211) (10±7.6). The most prevalent symptoms for patients with COPD were dyspnea, cough, and lack of energy. For patients with CHF, the most prevalent symptoms were dyspnea, lack of energy, and difficulty sleeping. Experience of dyspnea, cough, dry mouth, feeling irritable, worrying, and problems with sexual interest or activity were more common in patients with COPD while the experience of swelling of arms or legs was more common among patients with CHF. When controlling for background characteristics, there were no differences regarding feeling irritable, worrying, and sexual problems. There were no differences in impact of symptoms or health.

Conclusion

Patients with COPD and CHF seem to experience similar symptoms. There were no differences in how the patients perceived their functioning according to their cardinal symptoms; dyspnea and fatigue, and health. An intervention for both groups of patients to optimize the management of symptoms and improve function is probably more relevant in PHC than focusing on separate diagnosis groups.

The systemic nature of chronic lung disease

The systemic effects and comorbidities of chronic respiratory disease such as COPD contribute substantially to its burden. Symptoms in COPD do not solely arise from the degree of airflow obstruction as exercise limitation is compounded by the specific secondary manifestations of the disease including skeletal muscle impairment, osteoporosis, mood disturbance, anemia, and hormonal imbalance. Pulmonary rehabilitation targets the systemic manifestations of COPD, the causes of which include inactivity, systemic inflammation, hypoxia and corticosteroid treatment. Comorbidities are common, including cardiac disease, obesity, and metabolic syndrome and should not preclude pulmonary rehabilitation as they may also benefit from similar approaches.

COPD in chronic heart failure: less common than previously thought?

BACKGROUND

Using a fixed ratio of forced expiratory volume in 1 s to forced vital capacity (FEV1/FVC) < 0.70 instead of the lower limit of normal (LLN) to define chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) may lead to overdiagnosis of COPD in elderly patients with heart failure (HF) and consequently unnecessary treatment with possible adverse health effects.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to determine COPD prevalence in patients with chronic HF according to two definitions of airflow obstruction.

METHODS

Spirometry was performed in 187 outpatients with stable chronic HF without pulmonary congestion who had a left ventricular ejection fraction <40% (mean age 69 ± 10 years, 78% men). COPD diagnosis was confirmed 3 months after standard treatment with tiotropium in newly diagnosed COPD patients.

RESULTS

COPD prevalence varied substantially between 19.8% (LLN-COPD) and 32.1% (GOLD-COPD). Twenty-three of 60 patients (38.3%) with GOLD-COPD were potentially misclassified as having COPD (FEV1/FVC < 0.7 but > LLN). In contrast to patients with LLN-COPD, potentially misclassified patients did not differ significantly from those without COPD regarding respiratory symptoms and risk factors for COPD.

CONCLUSIONS

One fifth, rather than one third, of the patients with chronic HF had concomitant COPD using the LLN instead of the fixed ratio. LLN may identify clinically more important COPD than a fixed ratio of 0.7.

Prognostic value of alveolar volume in systolic heart failure: a prospective observational study

Background

Ventilatory impairment is known to occur in patients with heart failure (HF). Alveolar volume (V_A) is measured by the dilution of an inert gas during a single breath-hold maneuver. Such measurement is sensitive to ventilatory disturbances. We conducted a prospective, observational study to establish the prognostic value of V_A in systolic HF.

Methods

We studied 260 consecutive patients who were hospitalized for systolic HF. All patients were evaluated under stable clinical conditions, before hospital discharge. Lung function studies included spirometry and determination of the lung diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide (DL_CO) by the single-breath method. We also measured the cardiothoracic ratio on frontal chest radiographs, and the circulating levels of N-terminal pro-hormone of B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP). The hazard ratio (HR) of death was estimated with Cox regression, and the percentiles of survival time with Laplace regression. For survival analysis, V_A was categorized as < 80% (n = 135), or ≥ 80% of the predicted value (n = 125).

Results

Follow-up had a median duration of 2.7 years (interquartile range, 1.1 to 4.2 years). The crude mortality rate was 27% in the whole sample, 36% in patients with V_A < 80%, and 16% in those with V_A ≥ 80%. The HR of death was 2.3-fold higher in patients with V_A < 80% than in those with V_A ≥80% (p = 0.002). After adjusting for age, New York Heart Association class III-IV, cardiothoracic ratio >0.5, NT-proBNP, persistent atrial fibrillation, DL_CO, COPD comorbidity, use of beta-blockers and angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors, the HR decreased to 1.9 but remained statistically significant (p = 0.039). Two percent of the patients with V_A < 80% died about 0.9 years earlier than those with V_A ≥ 80% (p = 0.033). The difference in survival time at the 20th percentile was 0.8 years.

Conclusions

V_A is a significant, independent predictor of reduced survival in patients with systolic HF.

Echocardiography, spirometry, and systemic acute-phase inflammatory proteins in smokers with COPD or CHF: an observational study

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and chronic heart failure (CHF) may coexist in elderly patients with a history of smoking. Low-grade systemic inflammation induced by smoking may represent the link between these 2 conditions. In this study, we investigated left ventricular dysfunction in patients primarily diagnosed with COPD, and nonreversible airflow limitation in patients primarily diagnosed with CHF. The levels of circulating high-sensitive C-reactive protein (Hs-CRP), pentraxin 3 (PTX3), interleukin-1β (IL-1 β), and soluble type II receptor of IL-1 (sIL-1RII) were also measured as markers of systemic inflammation in these 2 cohorts. Patients aged ≥50 years and with ≥10 pack years of cigarette smoking who presented with a diagnosis of stable COPD (n=70) or stable CHF (n=124) were recruited. All patients underwent echocardiography, N-terminal pro-hormone of brain natriuretic peptide measurements, and post-bronchodilator spirometry. Plasma levels of Hs-CRP, PTX3, IL-1 β, and sIL-1RII were determined by using a sandwich enzyme-linked immuno-sorbent assay in all patients and in 24 healthy smokers (control subjects). Although we were unable to find a single COPD patient with left ventricular dysfunction, we found nonreversible airflow limitation in 34% of patients with CHF. On the other hand, COPD patients had higher plasma levels of Hs-CRP, IL1 β, and sIL-1RII compared with CHF patients and control subjects (p < 0.05). None of the inflammatory biomarkers was different between CHF patients and control subjects. In conclusion, although the COPD patients had no evidence of CHF, up to one third of patients with CHF had airflow limitation, suggesting that routine spirometry is warranted in patients with CHF, whereas echocardiography is not required in well characterized patients with COPD. Only smokers with COPD seem to have evidence of systemic inflammation.

Medication management of chronic heart failure in older adults

Heart failure (HF) is a common problem in older adults. Individuals aged 65 years or older are at a higher risk for developing HF, especially diastolic HF or HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). HF can be seen in up to 20 % of adults aged 85 years or older. In contrast to middle-aged (40-64 years) HF patients, multiple cardiac, non-cardiac and geriatric syndrome co-morbidities are seen in elderly HF patients. Additionally, age-related changes in pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics influence medication therapy. Hence, the management of older patients with HF is challenging and treatment should be modified in the light of the above-mentioned conditions. This article discusses the current evidence for medication management in both systolic HF or HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) and HFpEF, noting, however, the limited data for HFpEF and HFrEF in those 80 years of age or older. The objective of this article is to discuss evidence-based and outcomes-driven pharmacologic management strategies for chronic HF in the older adults for whom functional and other patient-centered outcomes might be more than or as important as clinical outcomes. Optimal management would be expected to help to reduce illness burden, reduce mortality and hospitalizations, and improve function and quality of life.

Heart failure and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: the challenges facing physicians and health services

Pulmonary disease is common in patients with heart failure, through shared risk factors and pathophysiological mechanisms. Adverse pulmonary vascular remodelling and chronic systemic inflammation characterize both diseases. Concurrent chronic obstructive pulmonary disease presents diagnostic and therapeutic challenges, and is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. The cornerstones of therapy are beta-blockers and beta-agonists, whose pharmacological properties are diametrically opposed. Each disease is implicated in exacerbations of the other condition, greatly increasing hospitalizations and associated health care costs. Such multimorbidity is a key challenge for health-care systems oriented towards the treatment of individual diseases. Early identification and treatment of cardiopulmonary disease may alleviate this burden. However, diagnostic and therapeutic strategies require further validation in patients with both conditions.

The comorbidity conundrum: a focus on the role of noncardiovascular chronic conditions in the heart failure patient

The rapid aging of the US population combined with improvements in modern medicine has created a new public health concern of comorbidity, a chronic condition that co-exists with a primary illness. Over 141 million Americans suffer from one or more comorbid conditions. In the heart failure (HF) patient, this comorbidity burden is particularly high, with over 40% of patients having five or more chronic conditions. These comorbidities can vary from being a risk factor to a cause of HF progression or even a precipitating factor for decompensation. Comorbidities, particularly the noncardiovascular conditions, have been associated with greater health resource utilization, poor health outcomes, and increased mortality. To minimize the negative impact that these comorbidities have on patient outcomes, appropriate attention should be paid to identifying, prioritizing, and managing each condition; minimizing medication complexity and polypharmacy; and improving overall coordination of care between providers and patients.

Effect of bisoprolol on respiratory function and exercise capacity in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Cardioselective β blockers are considered to have little impact on lung function at rest in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, their effects on dynamic hyperinflation, an important mechanism contributing to symptoms and exercise tolerance in patients with COPD, have not been evaluated. Twenty-seven patients with moderate to severe COPD (forced expiratory volume in 1 second 52 ± 13% predicted) completed pulmonary function tests, echocardiography, maximal exercise tests, and cycle endurance tests at baseline. Inspiratory capacity was measured at 2-minute intervals during the cycle endurance test to quantify dynamic hyperinflation. Pulmonary function and cycle endurance testing were repeated after 14 days of bisoprolol 10 mg/day and 14 days of placebo in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover trial. The extent of dynamic hyperinflation at peak isotime exercise with bisoprolol and placebo was compared. Peak isotime was defined as the latest time point that was reached during the 2 cycle endurance tests. Changes in inspiratory capacity from rest to peak isotime were different with bisoprolol compared to placebo (-0.50 ± 0.35 vs -0.41 ± 0.33 L, p = 0.01). Exercise duration tended to be lower with bisoprolol compared to placebo (305 ± 125 vs 353 ± 172 seconds, p = 0.11). The magnitude of change in exercise duration between the bisoprolol and placebo conditions was correlated with the magnitude of change in inspiratory capacity (r = 0.57, p <0.01). In conclusion, bisoprolol was associated with modest worsening dynamic hyperinflation, whereas exercise duration remained unchanged in patients with moderate to severe COPD. The magnitude of these effects was small and should not contraindicate the use of bisoprolol in patients with COPD.

The impact of heart failure on the classification of COPD severity

BACKGROUND

Pulmonary restriction-a reduction of lung volumes-is common in heart failure (HF), rendering severity grading of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) potentially problematic in subjects with both diseases. We compared pulmonary function in patients with either HF or COPD, or the combination to assess whether grading of COPD using the Global Initiative of Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease classification is hampered in the presence of HF.

METHODS AND RESULTS

In 2 cohorts involving 591 patients with established HF and 405 with a primary care diagnosis of COPD, the presence of HF and COPD was assessed according to guidelines. HF severity was staged according to the NYHA classification system into Classes I-IV. COPD was diagnosed if the ratio of post-bronchodilator forced expiratory volume in 1 second and forced vital capacity (FEV1/FVC) was <0.70, and categorized in GOLD stages I-IV according to post-bronchodilator-predicted FEV1 levels (FEV1% ≥80%; 50-79%; 30-49%; <30%). In total, 557 patients with HF only, 108 with HF+COPD, and 194 with COPD only were studied. Patients, who had neither HF nor COPD according to definition, or HF with reversible obstruction in post-bronchodilator pulmonary function tests were excluded from this analysis (n = 137). Compared with COPD only, patients with HF plus COPD had higher levels of post-bronchodilator FEV1/FVC (median [quartiles] 0.57 [0.47-0.64] vs 0.62 [0.55-0.66] and lower total lung capacity % (115 [104-126]% vs 105 [95-117]%, P < .001) P < .001), but comparable levels of post-bronchodilator FEV1% (70 [56-84]% vs 68 [54-80]%, P = .22) and thus similar distributions of GOLD stages I-IV in both groups (24/56/19/4% vs 31/50/19/1%, P = .57). In patients with HF only, 25% exhibited pre-bronchodilator FEV1% levels of <80% (FEV1% 94 [80-108]%), despite a pre-bronchodilator FEV/FVC ratio ≥0.7 in this group. The reduction of FEV1 in patients with HF only was associated with HF severity.

CONCLUSIONS

In stable HF, FEV1 may be significantly reduced even in the absence of "real" airflow obstruction. In this situation, diagnosing COPD according to GOLD criteria (based on FEV1/FVC) still seems feasible, because both FEV1 and FVC are usually decreased to an equal extent in HF. However, classifying COPD based on FEV1 levels may overrate obstruction severity in patients with combined disease (HF plus COPD), and thus may lead to unjustified use of bronchodilators.

Impact of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease severity on symptoms and prognosis in patients with systolic heart failure

BACKGROUND

Systolic heart failure (SHF) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are frequently associated. The purpose of our study was to explore the impact of COPD severity on symptoms and prognosis in patients with SHF.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease was systematically screened by spirometry in 348 patients admitted for SHF from April 2002 to December 2006. Severity of COPD was defined according to the GOLD classification. Prevalence of COPD was 37.9 %. Patients' distribution according to GOLD stages I, II, II and IV were, respectively, 51.5, 37.9, 7.6 and 3.0 %. Severity of dyspnoea increases with GOLD stage. There was a significant correlation between NYHA stage and left ventricular ejection fraction in patients without COPD (R (2) = 0.03; P = 0.01) but not in patients with COPD. Mean follow-up was of 54.9 ± 27.4 months. Mortality was 46.6 % and was highest in the COPD group (53.8 vs. 42.3 %; P = 0.049). Kaplan-Meier survival curves showed that patients with GOLD stage I had the same prognosis than patients without COPD and mortality increased from GOLD stage II to stage IV. After multivariate analysis, GOLD stage and diuretics' dose were independently associated with mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is frequent in patients with SHF and increases mortality. Since dyspnoea is poorly specific of COPD in chronic heart failure patients, COPD remains underdiagnosed thus leading to inappropriate increase of diuretics' dose. COPD should be systematically screened in patients with SHF to adapt prescription of selective β1-blockers, and diuretics' dose and reduce the exposition to risk factors.

Developing the model of pulmonary rehabilitation for chronic heart failure

Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and chronic heart failure (CHF) commonly suffer from exertional symptoms of breathlessness and fatigue. The similar systemic manifestations of the conditions, including skeletal muscle dysfunction, are a major contributing factor to the limitation in exercise capacity. A period of exercise training has been shown to improve exercise performance and health-related quality of life for both conditions. Exercise training is a key component of pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) which is now a standard of care for patients with COPD and is symptom based. Although it may be assumed that patients with CHF could be incorporated into cardiac rehabilitation, this is predominantly a secondary prevention programme for patients who are largely asymptomatic. It has been shown that patients with CHF can be successfully trained together with patients with COPD by the same therapists within PR. There are comparable outcome measures that can be used for both COPD and CHF. Many patients with CHF still do not have access to an exercise rehabilitation programme and incorporating them into the PR model of care could be one solution. This article reviews the (1) similar symptoms, mechanisms and consequences between COPD and CHF, (2) rationale and evidence for exercise training in CHF, (3) model of PR, (4) safety of exercise training in CHF, (5) evidence for combined exercise rehabilitation for CHF and COPD, (6) adaptations necessary to include patients with CHF into PR, (7) the chronic care model and (8) summary.

Economic burden of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to estimate the direct medical costs of COPD in two public health clusters in Singapore from 2005 to 2009.

METHODS

Patients aged 40 years and over, who had been diagnosed with COPD, were identified in a Chronic Disease Management Data-mart. Annual utilization of health services in inpatient, specialist outpatient, emergency department and primary care settings was extracted from the Chronic Disease Management Data-mart. Trends in attributable costs, proportions of costs and health-care utilization were analyzed across each level of care. A weighted attribution approach was used to allocate costs to each health-care utilization episode, depending on the relevance of co-morbidities.

RESULTS

The mean total cost was approximately $9.9 million per year. Inpatient admissions were the major cost driver, contributing an average of $7.2 million per year. The proportion of hospitalization costs declined from 75% in 2005 to 68% in 2009. Based on the 5-year average, attendances at primary care clinics, emergency department and specialist clinics contributed 3%, 5% and 17%, respectively, of overall COPD costs. On average, 42% of the total cost burden was incurred for the medical management of COPD. The share of cost incurred for the treatment of conditions related and unrelated to COPD were 29% and 26%, respectively, of the total average costs.

CONCLUSIONS

COPD is likely to represent a significant burden to the public health system in most countries. The findings are particularly relevant to understanding the allocation of health-care resources and informing appropriate cost containment strategies.