Association between β-blocker therapy and outcomes in patients hospitalised with acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive lung disease with underlying ischaemic heart disease, heart failure or hypertension

Impact of COPD on cardiovascular risk factors and outcomes in people with established cardiovascular disease

BACKGROUND

Little is known about the association between chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and cardiovascular disease (CVD) in people with established CVD. Knowing if COPD is associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular events would guide appropriate secondary prevention.

OBJECTIVE

To examine the risk of COPD on major adverse cardiac events (MACEs, acute myocardial infarction, stroke and cardiovascular death) in a complete real-world population of a large province, with known CVD.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective population cohort study using health administration, medication, laboratory, electronic medical record and other data from Ontario, Canada. All people with a history of CVD with and without physician-diagnosed COPD as of 2008 were followed until 2016 and cardiac risk factors, sociodemographic factors, comorbidities and other factors were compared. Sequential cause-specific hazard models adjusting for these factors determined the risk of MACE in people with COPD.

RESULTS

Of 496 056 individuals with CVD in Ontario on 1 January 2008, 69 161 (13.9%) had COPD. MACE occurred more frequently among those with CVD (45.3 per 1000 person-years) and COPD compared with those with CVD alone (28.6 per 1000 person-years) (HR 1.24, 95% CI 1.21-1.26) after adjustment for cardiac risk factors, comorbidities, socioeconomic status and other factors. People with COPD were less likely to receive preventive CVD medications or see a cardiologist.

CONCLUSION

In a large, real-world population of people with established CVD, COPD was associated with a higher rate of cardiovascular events but a lower rate of preventive therapy. Strategies are needed to improve secondary CVD prevention in the COPD population.

Effects of the Use of Beta-Blockers on Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Associated with Cardiovascular Comorbities: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Cardiovascular comorbidity is common in individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This factor interferes with pharmacological treatment. The use of β-blockers has been proposed for their known cardioprotective effects. However, due to their adverse reactions, and the risk of causing bronchospasm, there is reluctance to use them. To summarize existing evidence on the effects of β-blocker use in COPD associated with cardiovascular comorbidities in relation to disease severity, exacerbation, and mortality outcomes. EMBASE, Medline, Lilacs, Cochrane Library, and Science Direct databases were used. Observational studies that evaluated the effects of β-blockers on individuals with COPD and cardiovascular comorbidities, and related disease severity, exacerbations, or mortality outcomes were included. Studies that did not present important information about the sample and pharmacological treatment were excluded. Twenty studies were included. Relevance to patient care and clinical practice: The use of β-blockers in individuals with COPD and cardiovascular disease caused positive effects on mortality and exacerbations outcomes, compared with the results of individuals who did not use them. The severity of the disease caused a slight change in forced expiratory volume in 1 second. The odds ratio for mortality was 0.50 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.39 to 0.63; p<0.00001), and for exacerbations, 0.76 (95% CI, 0.62 to 0.92; p=0.005), being favorable to the group that used β-blockers. Further studies are needed to study the effect of using a specific β-blocker in COPD associated with a specific cardiovascular comorbidity.

A Literature Review on the Coexisting Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Heart Failure

The convergence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and heart failure (HF) is a prevalent yet often overlooked medical scenario. This coexistence poses diagnostic challenges due to symptom similarities. This comprehensive review extensively examines the impact of COPD and HF on pharmacological management. Furthermore, the concurrent presence of these conditions amplifies both mortality rates and societal financial strain. Addressing these intertwined ailments necessitates a multidisciplinary approach. Within this review, we delve into the foundational mechanisms, diagnostic intricacies, and available management choices for these closely related conditions.

Transient Receptor Potential Vanilloid (TRPV4) channel inhibition: A novel promising approach for the treatment of lung diseases

Research on transient receptor potential vanilloid-4 (TRPV4) can provide a promising potential therapeutic target in the development of novel medicines for lung disorders. TRPV4 expresses in lung tissue and plays an important role in the maintenance of respiratory homeostatic function. TRPV4 is upregulated in life-threatening respiratory diseases like pulmonary hypertension, asthma, cystic fibrosis, and chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases. TRPV4 is linked to several proteins that have physiological functions and are sensitive to a wide variety of stimuli, such as mechanical stimulation, changes in temperature, and hypotonicity, and responds to a variety of proteins and lipid mediators, including anandamide (AA), the arachidonic acid metabolite, 5,6-epoxyeicosatrienoic acid (5,6-EET), a plant dimeric diterpenoid called bisandrographolide A (BAA), and the phorbol ester 4-alpha-phorbol-12,13-didecanoate (4α-PDD). This study focused on relevant research evidence of TRPV4 in lung disorders and its agonist and antagonist effects. TRPV4 can be a possible target of discovered molecules that exerts high therapeutic potential in the treatment of respiratory diseases by inhibiting TRPV4.

Beta-blocker use in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: A systematic review: A systematic review of βB in COPD

Beta-blockers (βB) are a frequently used class of medications. Although βB have many indications, those related to cardiovascular disease are among the most common and important. However, in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), βB are used less often due to concerns about an unfavorable impact on respiratory morbidity and mortality. We performed a systematic review to assess the safety of βB in patients with COPD. We included a total of 2 randomized controlled trials and 28 observational studies. The majority found statistically significant reductions in mortality. The two higher quality observational studies reported increased mortality with βB. The risk of COPD exacerbations was reduced in about half of the studies. Nonetheless, there were significant biases that confounded the results. The highest quality RCT found a significant increase in severe and very severe COPD exacerbations with βB use. In conclusion, data on the safety of βB in patients with COPD are conflicting. However, given higher quality evidence showed harm with their use, βB should be prescribed with caution in patients with COPD, including patients with cardiac indication for βB.

2022 Guidelines of the Taiwan Society of Cardiology and the Taiwan Hypertension Society for the Management of Hypertension

Hypertension is the most important modifiable cause of cardiovascular (CV) disease and all-cause mortality worldwide. Despite the positive correlations between blood pressure (BP) levels and later CV events since BP levels as low as 100/60 mmHg have been reported in numerous epidemiological studies, the diagnostic criteria of hypertension and BP thresholds and targets of antihypertensive therapy have largely remained at the level of 140/90 mmHg in the past 30 years. The publication of both the SPRINT and STEP trials (comprising > 8,500 Caucasian/African and Chinese participants, respectively) provided evidence to shake this 140/90 mmHg dogma. Another dogma regarding hypertension management is the dependence on office (or clinic) BP measurements. Although standardized office BP measurements have been widely recommended and adopted in large-scale CV outcome trials, the practice of office BP measurements has never been ideal in real-world practice. Home BP monitoring (HBPM) is easy to perform, more likely to be free of environmental and/or emotional stress, feasible to document long-term BP variations, of good reproducibility and reliability, and more correlated with hypertension-mediated organ damage (HMOD) and CV events, compared to routine office BP measurements. In the 2022 Taiwan Hypertension Guidelines of the Taiwan Society of Cardiology (TSOC) and the Taiwan Hypertension Society (THS), we break these two dogmas by recommending the definition of hypertension as ≥ 130/80 mmHg and a universal BP target of < 130/80 mmHg, based on standardized HBPM obtained according to the 722 protocol. The 722 protocol refers to duplicate BP readings taken per occasion ("2"), twice daily ("2"), over seven consecutive days ("7"). To facilitate implementation of the guidelines, a series of flowcharts encompassing assessment, adjustment, and HBPM-guided hypertension management are provided. Other key messages include that: 1) lifestyle modification, summarized as the mnemonic S-ABCDE, should be applied to people with elevated BP and hypertensive patients to reduce life-time BP burden; 2) all 5 major antihypertensive drugs (angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors [A], angiotensin receptor blockers [A], β-blockers [B], calcium-channel blockers [C], and thiazide diuretics [D]) are recommended as first-line antihypertensive drugs; 3) initial combination therapy, preferably in a single-pill combination, is recommended for patients with BP ≥ 20/10 mmHg above targets; 4) a target hierarchy (HBPM-HMOD- ambulatory BP monitoring [ABPM]) should be considered to optimize hypertension management, which indicates reaching the HBPM target first and then keeping HMOD stable or regressed, otherwise ABPM can be arranged to guide treatment adjustment; and 5) renal denervation can be considered as an alternative BP-lowering strategy after careful clinical and imaging evaluation.

Beta-Adrenergic Blockade in Critical Illness

Catecholamine upregulation is a core pathophysiological feature in critical illness. Sustained catecholamine β-adrenergic induction produces adverse effects relevant to critical illness management. β-blockers (βB) have proposed roles in various critically ill disease states, including sepsis, trauma, burns, and cardiac arrest. Mounting evidence suggests βB improve hemodynamic and metabolic parameters culminating in decreased burn healing time, reduced mortality in traumatic brain injury, and improved neurologic outcomes following cardiac arrest. In sepsis, βB appear hemodynamically benign after acute resuscitation and may augment cardiac function. The emergence of ultra-rapid βB provides new territory for βB, and early data suggest significant improvements in mitigating atrial fibrillation in persistently tachycardic septic patients. This review summarizes the evidence regarding the pharmacotherapeutic role of βB on relevant pathophysiology and clinical outcomes in various types of critical illness.

[Possibilities and limitations of the use of beta-blockers in patients with cardiovascular disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease]

In medical literature, increasing attention is paid to comorbidities in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). In clinical practice, physicians often hesitate to prescribe beta-blockers (β1-adrenoblockers) to COPD patients. This article summarized new results of using beta-blockers in patients with COPD. According to reports, the selective β1-blocker treatment considerably increases the survival rate of patients with COPD and ischemic heart disease, particularly after myocardial infarction (MI), and with chronic heart failure (CHF). The benefit of administering selective β1-blockers to patients with CHF and/or a history of MI overweighs a potential risk related with the treatment even in patients with severe COPD. Convincing data in favor of the β1-blocker treatment in COPD patients without the above-mentioned comorbidities are not available. At present, the selective β1-blocker treatment is considered safe for patients with cardiovascular diseases and COPD. For this reason, selective β1-blockers, such as bisoprolol, metoprolol or nebivolol can be used in managing this patient cohort. Nonselective β1-blockers may induce bronchospasm and are not recommended for COPD patients. For the treatment with β-blockers with intrinsic sympathomimetic activity, the probability of bronchial obstruction in COPD patients is lower; however, drugs of this pharmaceutical group have not been compared with cardioselective beta-blockers. For safety reasons, the beta-blocker treatment should be started outside exacerbation of COPD and from a small dose. Careful monitoring is recommended for possible new symptoms, such as emergence/increase of shortness of breath, cough or changes in dosing of other drugs (for example, increased frequency of using short-acting bronchodilators).

Preventing adverse cardiac events (PACE) in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD): study protocol for a double-blind, placebo controlled, randomised controlled trial of bisoprolol in COPD

INTRODUCTION

Heart disease in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common but neglected comorbidity. Patients with COPD are frequently excluded from clinical trials of treatments aimed at reducing cardiac morbidity and mortality, which has led to undertreatment of cardiovascular disease in patients with COPD. A particular concern in COPD is the underuse of beta (β)-blockers. There is observational evidence that cardioselective β-blockers are safe and may even reduce mortality risk in COPD, although some evidence is conflicting. There is an urgent need to answer the research question: Are cardioselective β-blockers safe and of benefit in people with moderately severe COPD? The proposed study will investigate whether cardioselective β-blocker treatment in patients with COPD reduces mortality and cardiac and respiratory morbidity.

METHODS AND ANALYSES

This is a double-blind, randomised controlled trial to be conducted in approximately 26 sites in Australia, New Zealand, India, Sri Lanka and other countries as required. Participants with COPD will be randomised to either bisoprolol once daily (range 1.25-5 mg, dependent on tolerated dose) or matched placebo, in addition to receiving usual care for their COPD over the study duration of 24 months.The study will enrol 1164 participants with moderate to severe COPD, aged 40-85 years. Participants will be symptomatic from their COPD and have a postbronchodilator forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV₁) ≥30% and ≤70% predicted and a history of at least one exacerbation requiring systemic corticosteroids, antibiotics or both in the prior 24 months.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

The study protocol has been approved by the Sydney Local Health District Human Research Ethics Committee at The Concord Repatriation General Hospital.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBERS

NCT03917914; CTRI/2020/08/027322.

The use of β-blockers in patients with heart failure and comorbidities: Doubts, certainties and unsolved issues

β-blockers represent a mainstay in the pharmacological approach to patients affected by heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). However, underuse of this class of drugs is still reported, especially in the presence of cardiovascular and non-cardiovascular comorbidities, even if they are not contraindications for prescription of a β-blocker. The prognostic benefit of β-blockers is relevant in the presence of comorbidities, and achievement of the maximum tolerated dose is an important goal to increase their favorable prognostic role. The aim of the present review is to analyze the available evidence on the use of β-blockers in HFrEF patients with the most common comorbidities. In particular, we will discuss the role and most appropriate beta-blocker in patients with pulmonary disease (bisoprolol, metoprolol, nebivolol), diabetes (carvedilol and nebivolol), atrial fibrillation (all indicated for rate control, with metoprolol as the first choice followed by bisoprolol, nebivolol, and carvedilol), erectile dysfunction (bisoprolol and nebivolol), peripheral arterial disease (nebivolol), and other conditions, in order to clarify the correct use of this class of drugs in the clinical practice.

Management of noncardiovascular comorbidities in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction

Patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction often have one or more noncardiovascular comorbidities. The presence of concomitant disease states is associated with worse outcomes, including increased risk of mortality, decreased quality of life, and increased healthcare resource utilization. Additionally, the presence of heart failure with reduced ejection fraction complicates the management of these comorbidities, including varying safety and efficacy of therapies compared to those without heart failure. This article will review the literature on the pharmacologic management of common noncardiovascular comorbidities-including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, depression, diabetes mellitus, gout, chronic kidney disease, and iron deficiency-in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction, as well as provide recommendations for appropriate treatment selection in this population.

Beta-blocker, aspirin, and statin usage after first-time myocardial infarction in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a nationwide analysis from 1995 to 2015 in Denmark

AIMS

To determine whether beta-blockers, aspirin, and statins are underutilized after first-time myocardial infarction (MI) in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) compared with patients without COPD. Further, to determine temporal trends and risk factors for non-use.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Using Danish nationwide registers, we performed a cross-sectional study investigating the utilization of beta-blockers, aspirin, and statins after hospitalization for first-time MI among patients with and without COPD from 1995 to 2015. Risk factors for non-use were examined in multivariable logistic regression models. During 21 years of study, 140 278 patients were included, hereof 13 496 (9.6%) with COPD. Patients with COPD were less likely to use beta-blockers (53.2% vs. 76.2%, P < 0.001), aspirin (73.9% vs. 78.8%, P < 0.001), and statins (53.5% vs. 61.9%, P < 0.001). Medication usage increased during the study period but in multivariable analyses, COPD remained a significant predictor for non-use: odds ratio (95% confidence interval) for non-use of beta-blockers 1.86 (1.76-1.97); aspirin 1.24 (1.16-1.32); statins 1.50 (1.41-1.59). Analyses stratified by ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and non-STEMI showed similar undertreatment of COPD patients. Risk factors for non-use of beta-blockers in COPD included increasing age, female sex, and increasing severity of COPD (frequent exacerbations, use of multiple inhaled medications, and low lung function). Similar findings were demonstrated for aspirin and statins.

CONCLUSION

Beta-blockers, and to a lesser extent aspirin and statins, were systematically underutilized by patients with COPD following hospitalization for MI despite an overall increase in the utilization over time. Increasing severity of COPD was a risk factor for non-use of the medications.

Update on the Impact of Comorbidities on the Efficacy and Safety of Heart Failure Medications

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Multiple newer medications benefit patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). While these therapies benefit the broad population with HFrEF, the efficacy and safety of these therapies have been less well characterized in patients with significant comorbidities.

RECENT FINDINGS

Common comorbidities of high interest in heart failure (HF) include diabetes mellitus, chronic kidney disease (CKD), atrial fibrillation, and obesity, and each has potential implications for clinical management. As the burden of comorbidities increases in HF populations, risk-benefit assessments of HF therapies in the context of different comorbidities are increasingly relevant for clinical practice. This review summarizes data regarding the core HFrEF therapies in the context of comorbidities, with specific attention to sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors, sacubitril/valsartan, mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRAs), and beta-blockers. In general, studies support consistent treatment effects with regard to clinical outcome benefits in the presence of comorbidities. Likewise, safety profiles are relatively consistent irrespective of comorbidities, with the exception of heightened risk of hyperkalemia with MRA therapy in patients with severe CKD. In conclusion, while HF management is complex in the context of multiple comorbidities, the totality of evidence strongly supports guideline-directed medical therapies as foundational for improving outcomes in these high-risk patients.

Beta Blockers and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD): Sum of Evidence

Approximately half a century has passed since the discovery of beta-blockers. Then, their prime therapeutic purpose was to treat angina and cardiac arrhythmias; nowadays, beta-blockers' usage and effectiveness are extended to treat other cardiovascular diseases, such as hypertension, congestive heart failure, and coronary artery disease. Safety concerns were raised about beta- blockers and their use for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients with concurrent cardiovascular disease. After thorough research of the literature, this review summarizes the evidence proving that beta-blockers not only might be well tolerated in COPD patients, but they might also have a beneficial effect in this group of patients.

Beta-blocker use and acute exacerbations of COPD following myocardial infarction: a Danish nationwide cohort study

INTRODUCTION

Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are undertreated with beta-blockers following myocardial infarction (MI), possibly due to fear for acute exacerbations of COPD (AECOPD). Is beta-blocker use associated with increased risk of AECOPD in patients following first-time MI?

METHODS

Danish nationwide study of patients with COPD following hospitalisation for MI from 2003 to 2015. Multivariable, time-dependent Cox regression accounting for varying beta-blocker use based on claimed prescriptions during up to 13 years of follow-up.

RESULTS

A total of 10 884 patients with COPD were discharged after first-time MI. The 1-year rate of AECOPD was 35%, and 65% used beta-blockers at 1 year. Beta-blocker use was associated with a lower risk of AECOPD (multivariable-adjusted HR 0.78, 95% CI 0.74-0.83). This association was independent of the type of MI (HR 0.70, 95% CI 0.59-0.83 in ST-elevation MI (STEMI) and HR 0.80, 95% CI 0.75-0.84 in non-STEMI), presence or absence of heart failure (HR 0.82, 95% CI 0.74-0.90 and HR 0.77, 95% CI 0.72-0.82, respectively), beta-blocker dosage and type, as well as exacerbation severity. Results were similar in 1118 patients with full data on COPD severity and symptom burden (median forced expiratory volume in 1 s as percentage of predicted was 46 and majority had moderate dyspnoea), and in 1358 patients with severe COPD and frequent AECOPD with a high 1-year rate of AECOPD of 70%.

DISCUSSION

Beta-blocker use was not associated with increased risk of AECOPD following MI. This finding was independent of COPD severity, symptom burden and exacerbation history, and supports the safety of beta-blockers in patients with COPD, including high-risk patients with severe disease.

The clinical characteristics and outcomes of heart failure patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease from the Japanese community-based registry

Both heart failure (HF) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are common diseases, but few studies have assessed the relationship between COPD and outcomes in patients with acute HF, especially in relation to age or ejection fraction (EF). The Kitakawachi Clinical Background and Outcome of Heart Failure Registry was a prospective, multicenter, community-based cohort and enrolled a total of 1,102 patients with acute HF between 2015 and 2017 in this study. The primary endpoint was defined as a composite endpoint that included all-cause mortality and hospitalization for HF. We stratified patients into two groups: those aged ≥ 80 years (elderly) and < 80 years (nonelderly). HF with preserved EF (HFpEF) was defined as EF ≥ 50%, whereas HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) was defined as EF < 50%. A total of 159 patients (14.4%) with COPD and 943 patients (83.6%) without COPD were included. COPD was found to be independently associated with a higher risk of the composite endpoint (adjusted hazard ratio: 1.42, 95% confidence interval: 1.14-1.77; p = 0.003). During a subgroup analysis, COPD was exposed as an independent risk factor of the composite endpoint in nonelderly patients; however, there was not such a finding observed among elderly patients. Separately, there was a significant association with COPD and the composite endpoint in patients with HFpEF. COPD showed a significantly higher risk of the composite endpoint after discharge in acute HF. However, this heightened risk was observable only in the subgroup of nonelderly patients and those of HFpEF.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A Palliative Medicine Review of the Disease, Its Therapies, and Drug Interactions

Despite significant advances in treatment, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) remains a chronic and progressive disease that frequently leads to premature mortality. COPD is associated with a constellation of significant symptoms, including dyspnea, cough, wheezing, pain, fatigue, anxiety, depression, and insomnia, and is associated with increased morbidity. Palliative care is appropriate to support these patients. However, historically, palliative care has focused on supporting patients with malignant disease, rather than progressive chronic diseases such as COPD. Therapies for COPD often result in functional and symptomatic improvements, including health-related quality of life (HRQL), and palliative care may further improve symptoms and HRQL. Provision of usual palliative care therapies for this patient population requires understanding the pathogenesis of COPD and common disease-targeted pharmacotherapies, as well as an approach to balancing life-prolonging and HRQL care strategies. This review describes COPD and current targeted therapies and their effects on symptoms, exercise tolerance, HRQL, and survival. It is important to note that medications commonly used for symptom management in palliative care can interact with COPD medications resulting in increased risk of adverse effects, enhanced toxicity, or changes in clearance of medications. To address this, we review pharmacologic interactions with and precautions related to use of COPD therapies in conjunction with commonly used palliative care medications.

Management of the COPD Patient with Comorbidities: An Experts Recommendation Document

Background

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is associated with multiple comorbidities, which impact negatively on patients and are often underdiagnosed, thus lacking a proper management due to the absence of clear guidelines.

Purpose

To elaborate expert recommendations aimed to help healthcare professionals to provide the right care for treating COPD patients with comorbidities.

Methods

A modified RAND-UCLA appropriateness method consisting of nominal groups to draw up consensus recommendations (6 Spanish experts) and 2-Delphi rounds to validate them (23 Spanish experts) was performed.

Results

A panel of Spanish internal medicine experts reached consensus on 73 recommendations and 81 conclusions on the clinical consequences of the presence of comorbidities. In general, the experts reached consensus on the issues raised with regard to cardiovascular comorbidity and metabolic disorders. Consensus was reached on the use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors in cases of depression and the usefulness of referring patients with anxiety to respiratory rehabilitation programmes. The results also showed consensus on the usefulness of investigating the quality of sleep, the treatment of pain with opioids and the evaluation of osteoporosis by lateral chest radiography.

Conclusion

This study provides conclusions and recommendations that are intended to improve the management of the complexity of patients with COPD and important comorbidities, usually excluded from clinical trials.

[Cardiovascular and chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases: pathophysiological processes and treatment tactics]

Due to the global aging of the population, the deteriorating ecology and lifestyle changes, patients with isolated cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are becoming less common, and the portrait of a comorbid patient comes first in the structure of patients with CVD. Among a number of diseases complicating and concomitant with cardiovascular, a special place is occupied by chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The prevalence of COPD among CVD patients can reach 60%. Many of the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying COPD can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease and vice versa. The most common cases of COPD are arterial hypertension, coronary heart disease, heart failure, and atrial fibrillation. Given the close relationship between COPD and CVD, it is clear that treatment for one condition can affect another. This review discusses current positions about the influence of both groups of diseases on each other, and also observes the effects of drug therapy of both diseases.

Beta-blockers in COPD: A systematic review based on recent research

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) with cardiovascular complications is very common. Due to fear of exacerbating airway spasm, β-blockers are rarely used in such patients. Many observational studies suggest that β-blockers can reduce the disease progression and the risk of mortality in patients with COPD, but lack of confirmation from randomized controlled trials. This article reviews the application of β-blockers in patients with COPD based on the results of the latest published randomized controlled trials.

Lung function and cardiovascular disease: A link

The relationship between lung and heart diseases has long been recognized, with necropsy studies demonstrating silent myocardial infarctions or coronary artery calcification in patients with advanced emphysema as the death cause. Improvements in non-invasive techniques and epidemiologic approaches established that lung and cardiovascular diseases frequently coexist in mid and late life. Even among those without diagnosed lung disease, lower than expected forced vital capacity, forced expiratory volume in 1 s, and their ratio each portend greater risk of developing cardiovascular risk factors including hypertension, obesity, and metabolic syndrome, and for incident cardiovascular diseases including left heart failure, atrial fibrillation and stroke. Greater longitudinal declines in these spirometric measures are further associated with cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. While obstructive ventilatory patterns are more common, restrictive ventilatory patterns seem to demonstrate an independent and more robust association with cardiovascular diseases such as heart failure. These subclinical alterations in pulmonary function also relate to subclinical abnormalities of cardiac structure and function. Although the biologic pathways linking pulmonary and cardiovascular dysfunction are not clear, chronic systemic inflammation appears to be one important underlying pathophysiologic link. Despite the growing evidence of lung dysfunction as a cardiovascular risk factor, spirometric evaluation is still underutilized in clinical practice, particularly among cardiac patients, and optimal therapeutic and preventive strategies are still unclear. In this review, we address the current knowledge and controversies regarding the links between lung function and cardiovascular disease.

Optimizing Drug Therapies in Patients with COPD in the US Nursing Home Setting

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) can be a disabling disease, and the impact on older adults is particularly evident in the nursing home setting. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is present in about 20% of nursing home residents, most often in women, and accounts for significant healthcare utilization including acute care visits for exacerbations and pneumonia, as well as worsening heart disease and diabetes mellitus. The emphasis on hospital readmissions is particularly important in nursing homes where institutions have quality measures that have financial implications. Optimizing drug therapies in individuals with COPD involves choosing medications that not only improve symptoms, but also decrease the risk of exacerbations. Optimizing the treatment of comorbidities such as heart disease, infections, and diabetes that may affect COPD outcomes is also an important consideration. Depending on the nursing home setting and the patient, the options for optimizing COPD drug therapies may be limited owing to patient-related factors such as cognition and physical impairment or available resources, primarily reimbursement-related issues. Choosing the best drug therapy for COPD in older adults is limited by the difficulty in assessing respiratory symptoms using standardized assessment tools and potentially decreased inspiratory ability of frail individuals. Because of cognitive and physical impediments, ensuring optimal delivery of inhaled medications into the lungs has significant challenges. Long-acting bronchodilators, inhaled corticosteroids, and roflumilast decrease the risk of exacerbations, although inhaled corticosteroids should be used judiciously in this population because of the risk of pneumonia and oropharyngeal side effects. Treatment of COPD exacerbations should occur early and consideration should be made to the benefits and risks of systemic corticosteroids and antibiotics. Clinical research in the COPD population in nursing homes is clearly lacking, and ripe for discovery of effective management strategies.

Diagnostic and Therapeutic Gaps in Patients With Heart Failure and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Heart failure (HF) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) coincide in a significant number of patients. Recent population-based registries suggest that spirometry is largely underused in patients with HF to diagnose comorbid COPD and that patients with COPD frequently do not receive the recommended beta-blocker (BB) treatment. This state-of-the-art review summarizes: 1) current challenges in the implementation of recommended spirometry for COPD diagnosis in patients with HF; and 2) current underuse and underdosing of BBs in patients with HF and COPD despite guideline recommendations. Open issues in the therapeutic management of patients with HF and COPD are discussed in the third section, including the use of the nonselective BB carvedilol, target BB doses in patients with HF and COPD, BB and bronchodilator management during HF hospitalization with and without COPD exacerbation, and the use of BBs in patients with COPD with right HF or free from cardiovascular disease. The whole scenario described herein advocates for a bipartisan initiative to drive immediate attention to the translation of guideline recommendations into clinical practice for patients with HF with co-occurring COPD.

Use of beta-blocker is associated with lower mortality in patients with coronary artery disease with or without COPD

INTRODUCTION

Beta-blockers are indicated for secondary prevention of coronary artery disease (CAD). However, in patients with co-morbidity of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) an underuse of beta-blocker has been reported.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Prescription and demographic data and information on hospital discharge diagnoses from 13 Austrian health insurance funds for the years 2006-2007 were analyzed. The primary end point was all-cause mortality of patients with CAD with or without COPD and its association with use of beta-blockers.

RESULTS

In 2006 and 2007, 65717 patients (37% female, 63% male) were discharged with a diagnosis of CAD. Among these patients, 46% had a co-diagnosis of COPD, 24% had diabetes, and 75% received beta-blockers. Use of beta-blockers was comparable in CAD patients with COPD and without COPD with 77% and 74%, respectively. Thousand eight hundred seventy-two (8.1%) and 1473 (5.6%) patients with and without COPD, who used beta-blockers died within months in 2006 and 2007. Thousand five hundred fifty-three (22.0%) and 1862 (22.2%) of patients with and without COPD and without beta-blockers died during the corresponding time period.

DISCUSSION

Use of beta-blockers was similar in patients with CAD with or without co-diagnosis of COPD. However, mortality of beta-blocker users was markedly lower than that of nonusers in patients with CAD with or without COPD.

Cardiovascular disease and COPD: dangerous liaisons?

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and cardiovascular disease (CVD) frequently occur together and their coexistence is associated with worse outcomes than either condition alone. Pathophysiological links between COPD and CVD include lung hyperinflation, systemic inflammation and COPD exacerbations. COPD treatments may produce beneficial cardiovascular (CV) effects, such as long-acting bronchodilators, which are associated with improvements in arterial stiffness, pulmonary vasoconstriction, and cardiac function. However, data are limited regarding whether these translate into benefits in CV outcomes. Some studies have suggested that treatment with long-acting β₂-agonists and long-acting muscarinic antagonists leads to an increase in the risk of CV events, particularly at treatment initiation, although the safety profile of these agents with prolonged use appears reassuring. Some CV medications may have a beneficial impact on COPD outcomes, but there have been concerns about β-blocker use leading to bronchospasm in COPD, which may result in patients not receiving guideline-recommended treatment. However, there are few data suggesting harm with these agents and patients should not be denied β-blockers if required. Clearer recommendations are necessary regarding the identification and management of comorbid CVD in patients with COPD in order to facilitate early intervention and appropriate treatment.

Therapeutic effects of the combination of inhaled beta2-agonists and beta-blockers in COPD patients with cardiovascular disease

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a major health problem worldwide, with co-morbidities contributing to the overall severity and mortality of the disease. The incidence and prevalence of cardiovascular disease among COPD patients are high. Both disorders often co-exist, mainly due to smoking, but they also share common underlying risk factors, such as aging and low-grade systemic inflammation. The therapeutic approach is based on agents, whose pharmacological properties are completely opposed. Beta2-agonists remain the cornerstone of COPD treatment due to their limited cardiac adverse effects. On the other hand, beta-blockers are administered in COPD patients with cardiovascular disease, but despite their proven cardiac benefits, they remain underused. There is still a trend among physicians over underprescription of these drugs in patients with heart failure and COPD due to bronchoconstriction. Therefore, cardioselective beta-blockers are preferred, and recent meta-analyses have shown reduced rates in mortality and exacerbations in COPD patients treated with beta-blockers.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: More than meets the eye

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a major health problem which had not received the attention commensurate with the magnitude of its global burden. This is finally changing with the help of a vibrant community of health-care professionals, public officials, and academic researchers. Advances in characterization of the disease, treatment options, imaging modalities, and better understanding of the comorbidities promise to revolutionize how the disease is managed. COPD should no longer augur despair among physicians and patients.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and β-blocker treatment in Asian patients with heart failure

Aims

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and heart failure (HF) are increasingly frequent in Asia and commonly coexist in patients. However, the prevalence of COPD among Asian patients with HF and its impact on HF treatment are unclear.

Methods and results

We compared clinical characteristics and treatment approaches between patients with or without a history of COPD, before and after 1:2 propensity matching (for age, sex, geographical region, income level, and ethnic group) in 5232 prospectively recruited patients with HF and reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF, <40%) from 11 Asian regions (Northeast Asia: South Korea, Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and China; South Asia: India; Southeast Asia: Thailand, Malaysia, Philippines, Indonesia, and Singapore). Among the 5232 patients with HFrEF, a history of COPD was present in 8.3% (n = 434), with significant variation in geography (11.0% in Northeast Asia vs. 4.7% in South Asia), regional income level (9.7% in high income vs. 5.8% in low income), and ethnicity (17.0% in Filipinos vs. 5.2% in Indians) (all P < 0.05). Use of mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists and diuretics was similar between groups, while usage of all β‐blockers was lower in the COPD group than in the non‐COPD group in the overall (66.3% vs. 79.9%) and propensity‐matched cohorts (66.3% vs. 81.7%) (all P < 0.05). A striking exception was the Japanese cohort in which β‐blocker use was high in COPD and non‐COPD patients (95.2% vs. 91.2%).

Conclusions

The prevalence of COPD in HFrEF varied across Asia and was related to underuse of β‐blockers, except in Japan.

Beta-blocker under-use in COPD patients

Background

Cardiovascular (CVS) comorbidities are common in COPD and contribute significantly to morbidity and mortality, especially following acute exacerbations of COPD (AECOPD). Beta-blockers (BBs) are safe and effective in COPD patients, with demonstrated survival benefit following myocardial infarction. We sought to determine if BBs are under-prescribed in patients hospitalized with AECOPD. We also sought to determine inpatient rates of CVS and cerebrovascular complications, and their impact on patient outcomes.

Methods

Retrospective hospital data was collected over a 12-month period. The medical records of all patients >40 years of age coded with a diagnosis of AECOPD were analyzed. Prevalent use and incident initiation of BBs were assessed. Comorbidities including indications and contraindications for BB use were analyzed.

Results

Of the 366 eligible patients, 156 patients (42.6%) had at least one indication for BB use – of these patients, only 53 (34.0%) were on BB therapy and 61 (39.1%) were not on BB therapy but had no listed contraindication. Prevalent use of BBs at the time of admission in all 366 patients was 19.7%, compared with 45.6%, 39.6% and 45.9% use of anti-platelets, statins and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor/angiotensin II receptor blockers, respectively. CVS and cerebrovascular complications were common in this population (57 patients, 16%) and were associated with longer length of stay (p<0.01) and greater inpatient mortality (p=0.02).

Conclusions

BBs are under-prescribed in COPD patients despite clear indication(s) for their use. Further work is required to explore barriers to BB prescribing in COPD patients.

Association of asthma-chronic obstructive pulmonary disease overlap syndrome with coronary artery disease, cardiac dysrhythmia and heart failure: a population-based retrospective cohort study

OBJECTIVES

Patients with asthma-chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) overlap syndrome (ACOS) and cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) share common risk factors. However, the association between ACOS and the incidence of CVDs has not been reported. This study investigated the relationship between CVDs and ACOS in the general population.

SETTING

Data were obtained from Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database for the period 2000 to 2010.

PARTICIPANTS

The ACOS cohort comprised patients (n=5814) who had received a diagnosis of asthma and COPD. The non-ACOS cohort comprised patients who had not received a diagnosis of asthma or COPD and were matched to the ACOS cohort (2:1) by age, sex and index date (n=11 625).

PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES

The cumulative incidence of CVDs-coronary artery disease (CAD), cardiac dysrhythmia (CD) and heart failure (HF)-was calculated. Cox proportional regression analysis was employed to examine the relationship between ACOS and CVDs.

RESULTS

After adjustment for multiple confounding factors-age, sex, comorbidities and medications-patients with ACOS were associated with a significantly higher risk of CVDs; the adjusted HRs (aHRs; 95% CI) for CAD, CD and HF were 1.62 (1.50 to 1.76), 1.44 (1.30 to 1.61) and 1.94 (1.73 to 2.19), respectively, whereas those of beta-blockers treatment for CAD, CD and HF were 1.19 (0.92 to 1.53), 0.90 (0.56 to 1.45) and 0.82 (0.49 to 1.38). The aHR of atenolol treatment for CD was 1.72 (1.01 to 2.93). The aHRs (95% CIs) of ACOS without acute exacerbation of COPD (AE-COPD) for CAD, CD and HF were 1.85 (1.70 to 2.01), 1.57 (1.40 to 1.77) and 2.07 (1.82 to 2.35), respectively.

CONCLUSION

ACOS was associated with higher CVD risk, even without the presence of previous comorbidities or AE-COPD. No significant differences in CVD events were observed in the ACOS cohort using beta-blockers, except for those using atenolol for treating CD.

Effectiveness and safety of concurrent beta-blockers and inhaled bronchodilators in COPD with cardiovascular comorbidities

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the most common chronic respiratory disease and its prevalence is increasing worldwide, in both industrialised and developing countries. Its prevalence is ∼5% in the general population and it is the fourth leading cause of death worldwide. COPD is strongly associated with cardiovascular diseases; in fact, ∼64% of people suffering from COPD are treated for a concomitant cardiovascular disease and approximately one in three COPD patients die as a consequence of cardiovascular diseases.Inhaled bronchodilators might have adverse cardiovascular effects, including ischaemic events and arrhythmias, and beta-blockers might adversely influence the respiratory symptoms and the response to bronchodilators. For these reasons, it is important to know the safety profiles and the possible interactions between these two classes of drug, in order to prescribe them with greater awareness.In this article, we review the literature about the epidemiology of COPD, its association with cardiovascular diseases, and the safety of concurrent use of inhaled bronchodilators and beta-blockers, as a tool for improving the approach to complex therapies in clinical practice.

Korean Guidelines for Diagnosis and Management of Chronic Heart Failure

The prevalence of heart failure (HF) is skyrocketing worldwide, and is closely associated with serious morbidity and mortality. In particular, HF is one of the main causes for the hospitalization and mortality in elderly individuals. Korea also has these epidemiological problems, and HF is responsible for huge socioeconomic burden. However, there has been no clinical guideline for HF management in Korea. 
The present guideline provides the first set of practical guidelines for the management of HF in Korea and was developed using the guideline adaptation process while including as many data from Korean studies as possible. The scope of the present guideline includes the definition, diagnosis, and treatment of chronic HF with reduced/preserved ejection fraction of various etiologies.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Cardiac Diseases. An Urgent Need for Integrated Care

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a global health issue with high social and economic costs. Concomitant chronic cardiac disorders are frequent in patients with COPD, likely owing to shared risk factors (e.g., aging, cigarette smoke, inactivity, persistent low-grade pulmonary and systemic inflammation) and add to the overall morbidity and mortality of patients with COPD. The prevalence and incidence of cardiac comorbidities are higher in patients with COPD than in matched control subjects, although estimates of prevalence vary widely. Furthermore, cardiac diseases contribute to disease severity in patients with COPD, being a common cause of hospitalization and a frequent cause of death. The differential diagnosis may be challenging, especially in older and smoking subjects complaining of unspecific symptoms, such as dyspnea and fatigue. The therapeutic management of patients with cardiac and pulmonary comorbidities may be similarly challenging: bronchodilators may have cardiac side effects, and, vice versa, some cardiac medications should be used with caution in patients with lung disease. The aim of this review is to summarize the evidence of the relationship between COPD and the three most frequent and important cardiac comorbidities in patients with COPD: ischemic heart disease, heart failure, and atrial fibrillation. We have chosen a practical approach, first summarizing relevant epidemiological and clinical data, then discussing the diagnostic and screening procedures, and finally evaluating the impact of lung-heart comorbidities on the therapeutic management of patients with COPD and heart diseases.

Challenges of Treating Acute Heart Failure in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Heart failure (HF) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) comorbidity poses substantial diagnostic and therapeutic challenges in acute care settings. The specific role of pulmonary comorbidity in the treatment and outcomes of cardiovascular disease patients was not addressed in any short- or long-term prospective study. Both HF and COPD can be interpreted as systemic disorders associated with low-grade inflammation, endothelial dysfunction, vascular remodelling and skeletal muscle atrophy. HF is regularly treated as a broader cardiopulmonary syndrome utilising acute respiratory therapy. Based on observational data and clinical expertise, a management strategy of concurrent HF and COPD in acute settings is suggested. Concomitant use of beta2-agonists and beta-blockers in a comorbid cardiopulmonary condition seems to be safe and effective.

β-Blockers, heart disease and COPD: current controversies and uncertainties

Treating people with cardiovascular disease and COPD causes significant clinician anxiety. β-Blockers save lives in people with heart disease, specifically postinfarction and heart failure. COPD and heart disease frequently coexist and people with both disorders have particularly high cardiovascular mortality. There are concerns about giving β-blockers to people with concomitant COPD that include reduced basal lung function, diminished effectiveness of emergency β-agonist treatments, reduced benefit of long-acting β-agonist treatment and difficulty in discriminating between asthma and COPD. β-Blockers appear to reduce lung function in both the general population and those with COPD because they are poorly selective for cardiac β1-adrenoceptors over respiratory β2-adrenoceptors, and studies have shown that higher β-agonist doses are required to overcome the β-blockade. COPD and cardiovascular disease share similar environmental risks and both disease states have high adrenergic and inflammatory activation. β-Blockers may therefore be particularly helpful in reducing cardiovascular events in this high-risk group. They may reduce the background inflammatory state, and inhibit the tachycardia and hypertension associated with both the endogenous adrenaline and high-dose β-agonist treatment associated with acute exacerbations of COPD. Some studies have suggested no increased and, at times, reduced mortality in patients with COPD taking β-blockers for heart disease. However, these are all observational studies and there are no randomised controlled trials. Potential ways to improve this dilemma include the development of highly β1-selective β-blockers or the use of non-β-blocking heart rate reducing agents, such as ivabridine, if these are proven to be beneficial in randomised controlled trials.

Characteristics of Beta-blocker Treatment in Cardiac Patients with Concomitant Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Background: Recent scientific data demonstrated a potential beneficial effect of beta-blocker (BB) therapy in cardiac patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Our aim was to characterize the use of beta-blockers in these patients, in “real-life” conditions.

Material and methods: We collected retrospectively the data of 60 consecutive cardiac patients (51 men, 9 women, mean age 67 years) with the concomitant diagnosis of COPD: main cardiac conditions, presence and reason of BB therapy, type of drug and dosage, main ECG and echocardiographic parameters, medication and data regarding COPD. Besides descriptive statistics, we compared the data of patients with and without BB therapy (chi-square test, level of significance alpha <0.05) in order to identify factors associated with BB usage.

Results: In our study population, 41.6% of the patients had received BB treatment, the most frequently used drug being bisoprolol 2.5 mg and 5 mg q.d. (28%-28%), followed by carvedilol (32%). The prevalence of BB therapy was 51.2% in heart failure patients (48% in NYHA class III and IV, and 66.6% in dilated cardiomyopathy), 38.4% in hypertension, 81.8% in ischemic artery disease, and 64.7% in subjects with atrial fibrillation. The usage of BB therapy was significantly associated with the presence of heart failure (p = 0.047), dilated cardiomyopathy (p = 0.034), ischemic heart disease (p = 0.005), previous myocardial infarction (p = 0.003) and, inversely, with the acute exacerbation of COPD (p = 0.006).

Conclusions: Despite the fact that every cardiac patient with COPD had a potential indication for BB treatment, this was used insufficiently, especially in case of heart failure patients. In daily practice, there is a need for continuous review and improvement of BB usage in these patients.

Obstructive Ventilatory Disorder in Heart Failure-Caused by the Heart or the Lung?

Heart failure (HF) is a clinical syndrome frequently associated with airway obstruction, either as a respiratory comorbidity or as a direct consequence of HF pathophysiology. Recognizing the relative contribution of an underlying airway disease as opposed to airway obstruction due to volume overload and left atrial pressure elevation is of importance for the appropriate management of patients affected by HF. This review focuses on "les liaisons dangereuses" between the heart and the lungs, outlying recent advances linking in a vicious circle of chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD) and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) on one side and HF on the other side. It also discusses the role of pivotal diagnostic tools such as pulmonary function tests and cardiopulmonary exercise test to determine the contribution of HF and COPD to symptoms and clinical status. Treatment implications are discussed as well.

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.

Evaluation of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and reduced ejection fraction heart failure (HFrEF) discharge medication prescribing: Is drug therapy concordant with national guidelines associated with a reduction in 30-day readmissions?

INTRODUCTION

Approximately 1 in 5 hospitalized COPD patients are readmitted within 30 days of discharge. CHF coexists in more than 20% of patients with COPD, and is associated with early readmission for COPD. Reducing 30-day hospital readmissions for COPD is of intense current interest.

METHODOLOGY

A retrospective chart review was performed to identify patients discharged with COPD exacerbation and HFrEF. The primary objective was to evaluate if discharge medication prescribing following guidelines for both COPD and HFrEF correlates with reduced 30-day readmission rates.

RESULTS

The study included 281 admissions with 39.1% prescribed appropriate discharge medications for both COPD and HFrEF; 30-day readmission rate was 24.5% for these patients compared to 31.1% that were not prescribed appropriate medications (p = 0.24). Beta blockers, ACE inhibitors or ARBS, and aldosterone antagonists were under-prescribed, but this did not significantly associate with increased readmission (p = 0.51, p = 0.23 or 0.99, and p = 0.18, respectively). Those prescribed hydralazine or nitrates were more likely to readmit (both p = 0.01). Diabetes and hyperlipidemia were associated with increased readmission (p = 0.01 and 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

This study did not show a significant difference in 30-day readmission rate based on appropriate discharge medications for both COPD and HFrEF. The comorbidities diabetes and hyperlipidemia and prescription of hydralazine or nitrates were significantly associated with increased readmission rate. Larger patient populations may be needed to assess if guideline based discharge medication prescribing is associated with reduced 30-day readmissions for COPD.

Management of Noncardiac Comorbidities in Chronic Heart Failure

Prevalence of heart failure is increasing, especially in the elderly population. Noncardiac comorbidities complicate heart failure care and are increasingly common in elderly patients with reduced or preserved ejection fraction heart failure, owing to prolongation of patient's lives by advances in chronic heart failure (CHF) management. Common comorbidities include respiratory disease, renal dysfunction, anemia, arthritis, obesity, diabetes mellitus, cognitive dysfunction, and depression. These conditions contribute to the progression of the disease and may alter the response to treatment, partly as polypharmacy is inevitable in these patients. Cardiologists and other physicians caring for patients with CHF need to be vigilant to comorbid conditions that complicate the care of these patients. There is now more guidance on management of noncardiac comorbidities in heart failure, and this article contains a comprehensive review of the most recent updates on management of noncardiac comorbidities in CHF.

Management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease beyond the lungs

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is an umbrella term that covers many clinical subtypes with clearly different pulmonary and extra-pulmonary characteristics, but with persistent airflow limitation in common. This insight has led to the development of a more personalised approach in bronchodilator therapy, prevention of exacerbations, and advanced treatments (such as non-invasive ventilation and lung volume reduction techniques). However, systemic manifestations and comorbidities of COPD also contribute to different clinical phenotypes and warrant an individualised approach as part of integrated disease management. Alterations in bodyweight and composition, from cachexia to obesity, demand specific management. Psychological symptoms are highly prevalent, and thorough diagnosis and treatment are necessary. Moreover, prevention of exacerbations requires interventions beyond the lungs, including treatment of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease, reduction of cardiovascular risks, and management of dyspnoea and anxiety. In this Review, we discuss the management of COPD beyond the respiratory system and propose treatment strategies on the basis of the latest research and best practices.

Comprehensive therapeutic approach for patients with heart failure and comorbidity

The prevalence of heart failure increases with age and is accompanied by other diseases, which are encompassed within a «cardiometabolic phenotype». Their interrelation changes the evolution and treatment that each disease would have in isolation. Patients with heart failure and comorbidity are frail and complex. They require a comprehensive assessment (not just biomedical), which includes functional, cognitive, affective and psychosocial aspects. The overall treatment, which is not covered in the clinical practice guidelines, should adapt to each and every one of the comorbidities. Polypharmacy should be avoided as much as possible, due to its interactions and reduced adherence. Treatment needs to be optimised and adapted to the evolutionary phase of the disease and the specific needs of each patient. The complexity of the care process for patients with heart failure and comorbidities requires the coordination of healthcare providers and support from family and others involved in the patient's care.