Percent emphysema, airflow obstruction, and impaired left ventricular filling

Dynamic Quantitative Magnetic Resonance Imaging Assessment of Areas of the Lung During Free-Breathing of Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES

Changes in the geometry of the chest wall due to lung hyperinflation occur in COPD. However, the quantitative assessment of impaired lung motions and its association with the clinical characteristics of COPD patients are unclear. This study aimed to investigate the respiratory kinetics of COPD patients by dynamic MRI.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This study enrolled 22 COPD patients and 10 normal participants who underwent dynamic MRI and pulmonary function testing (PFT). Changes in the areas of the lung and mediastinum during respiration were compared between the COPD patients and the normal controls. Relationships between MRI, CT parameters, and clinical measures that included PFT results also were evaluated.

RESULTS

Asynchronous movements and decreased diaphragmatic motion were found in COPD patients. COPD patients had a larger ratio of MRI-measured lung areas at expiration to inspiration, a smaller magnitude of the peak area change ratio, and a smaller mediastinal-thoracic area ratio than the normal participants. The lung area ratio was associated with FEV₁/FVC, predicted RV%, and CT lung volume/predicted total lung capacity (pTLC). The lung area ratio of the right lower and left lower lungs was significantly correlated with emphysema of each lower lobe. The expiratory mediastinal-thoracic area ratio was associated with FEV₁% predicted and RV/TLC.

CONCLUSION

Changes in the lung areas of COPD patients as shown on MRI reflected the severity of airflow limitation, hyperinflation, and the extent of emphysema. Dynamic MRI provides essential information about respiratory kinetics in COPD.

Characterization of the COPD alveolar niche using single-cell RNA sequencing

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a leading cause of death worldwide, however our understanding of cell specific mechanisms underlying COPD pathobiology remains incomplete. Here, we analyze single-cell RNA sequencing profiles of explanted lung tissue from subjects with advanced COPD or control lungs, and we validate findings using single-cell RNA sequencing of lungs from mice exposed to 10 months of cigarette smoke, RNA sequencing of isolated human alveolar epithelial cells, functional in vitro models, and in situ hybridization and immunostaining of human lung tissue samples. We identify a subpopulation of alveolar epithelial type II cells with transcriptional evidence for aberrant cellular metabolism and reduced cellular stress tolerance in COPD. Using transcriptomic network analyses, we predict capillary endothelial cells are inflamed in COPD, particularly through increased CXCL-motif chemokine signaling. Finally, we detect a high-metallothionein expressing macrophage subpopulation enriched in advanced COPD. Collectively, these findings highlight cell-specific mechanisms involved in the pathobiology of advanced COPD.

Impaired Spontaneous Baroreceptor Reflex Sensitivity in Patients With COPD Compared to Healthy Controls: The Role of Lung Hyperinflation

Background and Objectives: Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are at increased risk for cardiovascular disease. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between pulmonary hyperinflation and baroreceptor reflex sensitivity (BRS), a surrogate for cardiovascular risk. Methods: 33 patients with COPD, free from clinical cardiovascular disease, and 12 healthy controls were studied. Participants underwent pulmonary function and non-invasive hemodynamic measurements. BRS was evaluated using the sequence method during resting conditions and mental arithmetic stress testing. Results: Patients with COPD had evidence of airflow obstruction [forced expiratory volume in 1 s predicted (FEV₁%) 26.5 (23.3-29.1) vs. 91.5 (82.8-100.8); P < 0.001; geometric means (GM) with 95% confidence interval (CI)] and lung hyperinflation [residual volume/total lung capacity (RV/TLC) 67.7 (64.3-71.3) vs. 41.0 (38.8-44.3); P < 0.001; GM with 95% CI] compared to controls. Spontaneous mean BRS (BRSmean) was significantly lower in COPD, both during rest [5.6 (4.2-6.9) vs. 12.0 (9.1-17.6); P = 0.003; GM with 95% CI] and stress testing [4.4 (3.7-5.3) vs. 9.6 (7.7-12.2); P < 0.001; GM with 95% CI]. Stroke volume (SV) was significantly lower in the patient group [-21.0 ml (-29.4 to -12.6); P < 0.001; difference of the means with 95% CI]. RV/TLC was found to be a predictor of BRS and SV (P < 0.05 for both), independent of resting heart rate. Conclusion: We herewith provide evidence of impaired BRS in patients with COPD. Hyperinflation may influence BRS through alteration of mechanosensitive vagal nerve activity.

Comparison of cerebral blood flow in subjects with and without chronic obstructive pulmonary disease from the population-based Rotterdam Study

OBJECTIVES

Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are at increased risk of cerebrovascular disease, which might be associated with decreases in cerebral blood flow. Since studies examining cerebral blood flow in COPD remain scarce and are limited by sample size, we aimed to study cerebral blood flow in participants with and without COPD.

DESIGN

Observational cohort study.

SETTING

Population-based Rotterdam Study.

PARTICIPANTS

4177 participants (age 68.0±8.5 years; 53% females) with and without COPD.

PREDICTOR VARIABLE

Spirometry and pulmonary diffusing capacity.

OUTCOME MEASURES

Cerebral blood flow by two-dimensional phase-contrast cerebral MRI.

RESULTS

Compared with subjects with normal spirometry (forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV₁)/forced vital capacity (FVC) ≥0.7 and FEV₁ ≥80%), multivariable adjusted cerebral blood flow (mL/min) was preserved in subjects with COPD Global initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD1) (FEV₁/FVC <0.7 and FEV₁ ≥80%), but significantly lower in subjects with COPD GOLD2-3 (FEV₁/FVC <0.7 and FEV₁ <80%), even after adjustment for cardiovascular comorbidities. In sex-stratified analyses, this difference in cerebral blood flow was statistically significant in women but not in men. Cerebral blood flow was lowest in subjects with FEV₁, FVC and diffusion lung capacity for carbon monoxide % predicted values in the lowest quintile, even after adjustment for cardiovascular comorbidities and cardiac function.

CONCLUSION

We observed a lowered cerebral blood flow in subjects with COPD GOLD2-3.

Automatic pulmonary vessel segmentation on noncontrast chest CT: deep learning algorithm developed using spatiotemporally matched virtual noncontrast images and low-keV contrast-enhanced vessel maps

OBJECTIVES

To develop a deep learning-based pulmonary vessel segmentation algorithm (DLVS) from noncontrast chest CT and to investigate its clinical implications in assessing vascular remodeling of chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD) patients.

METHODS

For development, 104 pulmonary CT angiography scans (49,054 slices) using a dual-source CT were collected, and spatiotemporally matched virtual noncontrast and 50-keV images were generated. Vessel maps were extracted from the 50-keV images. The 3-dimensional U-Net-based DLVS was trained to segment pulmonary vessels (with a vessel map as the output) from virtual noncontrast images (as the input). For external validation, vendor-independent noncontrast CT images (n = 14) and the VESSEL 12 challenge open dataset (n = 3) were used. For each case, 200 points were selected including 20 intra-lesional points, and the probability value for each point was extracted. For clinical validation, we included 281 COPD patients with low-dose noncontrast CTs. The DLVS-calculated volume of vessels with a cross-sectional area < 5 mm2 (PVV5) and the PVV5 divided by total vessel volume (%PVV5) were measured.

RESULTS

DLVS correctly segmented 99.1% of the intravascular points (1,387/1,400) and 93.1% of the extravascular points (1,309/1,400). The areas-under-the receiver-operating characteristic curve (AUROCs) were 0.977 and 0.969 for the two external validation datasets. For the COPD patients, both PPV5 and %PPV5 successfully differentiated severe patients whose FEV1 < 50 (AUROCs; 0.715 and 0.804) and were significantly correlated with the emphysema index (Ps < .05).

CONCLUSIONS

DLVS successfully segmented pulmonary vessels on noncontrast chest CT by utilizing spatiotemporally matched 50-keV images from a dual-source CT scanner and showed promising clinical applicability in COPD.

KEY POINTS

• We developed a deep learning pulmonary vessel segmentation algorithm using virtual noncontrast images and 50-keV enhanced images produced by a dual-source CT scanner. • Our algorithm successfully segmented vessels on diseased lungs. • Our algorithm showed promising results in assessing the loss of small vessel density in COPD patients.

Associations of D-Dimer with Computed Tomographic Lung Abnormalities, Serum Biomarkers of Lung Injury, and Forced Vital Capacity: MESA Lung Study

Rationale: The coagulation cascade may play a role in the pathogenesis of interstitial lung disease through increased production of thrombin and fibrin deposition. Whether circulating coagulation cascade factors are linked to lung inflammation and scarring among community-dwelling adults is unknown. Objectives: To test the hypothesis that higher baseline D-dimer concentrations are associated with markers of early lung injury and scarring. Methods: Using the MESA (Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis) cohort (n = 6,814), we examined associations of baseline D-dimer concentrations with high attenuation areas from examination 1 (2000-2002; n = 6,184) and interstitial lung abnormalities from examination 5 computed tomographic (CT) scans (2010-2012; n = 2,227), and serum MMP-7 (matrix metalloproteinase-7) and SP-A (surfactant protein-A) from examination 1 (n = 1,098). We examined longitudinal change in forced vital capacity (FVC) from examinations 3-6 (2004-2018, n = 3,562). We used linear logistic regression and linear mixed models to examine associations and adjust for potential confounders. Results: The mean (standard deviation) age of the cohort was 62 (10) years, and the D-dimer concentration was 0.35 (0.69) ug/ml. For every 10% increase in D-dimer concentration, there was an increase in high attenuation area percentage of 0.27 (95% confidence interval (CI), 0.08-0.47) after adjustment for covariates. Associations were stronger among those older than 65 years (P values for interaction < 0.001). A 10% increase in D-dimer concentration was associated with an odds ratio of 1.05 for interstitial lung abnormalities (95% CI, 0.99-1.11). Higher D-dimer concentrations were associated with higher serum MMP-7 and a faster decline in FVC. D-dimer was not associated with SP-A. Conclusions: Higher D-dimer concentrations were associated with a greater burden of lung parenchymal abnormalities detected on CT scan, MMP-7, and FVC decline among community-dwelling adults.

FEV1 Predicts Cardiac Status and Outcome in Chronic Heart Failure

BACKGROUND

COPD is an established predictor of clinical outcome in patients with chronic heart failure (HF). However, little evidence is available about the predictive value of FEV₁ in chronic HF.

RESEARCH QUESTION

Is pulmonary function related to the progression of chronic HF?

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

The MyoVasc study (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04064450) is a prospective cohort study of HF. Information on pulmonary and cardiac functional and structural status was obtained by body plethysmography and echocardiography. The primary study end point was worsening of HF.

RESULTS

Overall 2,998 participants (age range, 35-84 years) with available FEV₁ data were eligible for analysis. Linear multivariate regression analysis revealed an independent relationship of FEV₁ (per -1 SD) with deteriorated systolic and diastolic left ventricle (LV) function as well as LV hypertrophy under adjustment of age, sex, height, cardiovascular risk factors (CVRFs), and clinical profile (LV ejection fraction: β-estimate, -1.63% [95% CI, -2.00% to -1.26%]; E/E' ratio: β-estimate, 0.82 [95% CI, 0.64-0.99]; and LV mass/height^2.7: β-estimate, 1.58 [95% CI, 1.07-2.10]; P < .001 for all). During a median time to follow-up of 2.6 years (interquartile range, 1.1-4.1 years), worsening of HF occurred in 235 individuals. In Cox regression model adjusted for age, sex, height, CVRF, and clinical profile, pulmonary function (FEV₁ per -1 SD) was an independent predictor of worsening of HF (hazard ratio [HR], 1.44 [95% CI, 1.27-1.63]; P < .001). Additional adjustment for obstructive airway pattern and C-reactive protein mitigated, but did not substantially alter, the results underlining the robustness of the observed effect (HR_FEV1, 1.39 [95% CI, 1.20-1.61]; P < .001). The predictive value of FEV₁ was consistent across subgroups, including individuals without obstruction (HR, 1.55 [95% CI, 1.34-1.77]; P < .001) and nonsmokers (HR, 1.72 [95% CI, 1.39-1.96]; P < .001).

INTERPRETATION

FEV₁ represents a strong candidate to improve future risk stratification and prevention strategies in individuals with chronic, stable HF.

TRIAL REGISTRY

ClinicalTrials.gov; No.: NCT04064450; URL: www.clinicaltrials.gov.

Subclinical cardiac impairment relates to traditional pulmonary function test parameters and lung volume as derived from whole-body MRI in a population-based cohort study

To evaluate the relationship of cardiac function, including time-volume-curves, with lung volumes derived from pulmonary function tests (PFT) and MRI in subjects without cardiovascular diseases. 216 subjects underwent whole-body MRI and spirometry as part of the KORA-FF4 cohort study. Lung volumes derived semi-automatically using an in-house algorithm. Forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), and residual volume were measured. Cardiac parameters derived from Cine-SSFP-sequence using cvi42, while left ventricle (LV) time-volume-curves were evaluated using pyHeart. Linear regression analyses assessed the relationships of cardiac parameters with PFT and MRI-based lung volumes. Mean age was 56.3 ± 9.2 years (57% males). LV and right ventricular (RV) end-diastolic-, end-systolic-, stroke volume, LV peak ejection- and early/late diastolic filling rate were associated with FEV1, FVC, and residual volume (excluding late diastolic filling rate with FEV1, LV end-systolic/stroke volume and RV end-diastolic/end-systolic volumes with residual volume). In contrast, LV end-diastolic volume (ß = - 0.14, p = 0.01), early diastolic filling rate (ß = - 0.11, p = 0.04), and LV/RV stroke volume (ß = - 0.14, p = 0.01; ß = - 0.11, p = 0.01) were inversely associated with MRI-based lung volume. Subclinical cardiac impairment was associated with reduced FEV1, FVC, and residual volume. Cardiac parameters decreased with increasing MRI-based lung volume contrasting the results of PFT.

Effect of Dynamic Hyperinflation on Cardiac Response to Exercise of Patients With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

INTRODUCTION

Although the major limitation to exercise performance in patients with COPD is dynamic hyperinflation (DH), little is known about its relation with cardiac response to exercise. Our objectives were to compare the exercise response of stroke volume (SV) and cardiac output (CO) between COPD patients with or without DH and control subjects, and to assess the main determinants.

METHODS

Fifty-seven stable COPD patients without cardiac comorbidity and 25 healthy subjects were recruited. Clinical evaluation, baseline function tests, computed tomography and echocardiography were conducted in all subjects. Patients performed consecutive incremental exercise tests with measurement of operating lung volumes and non-invasive measurement of SV, CO and oxygen uptake (VO₂) by an inert gas rebreathing method. Biomarkers of systemic inflammation and oxidative stress, tissue damage/repair, cardiac involvement and airway inflammation were measured.

RESULTS

COPD patients showed a lower SV/VO₂ slope than control subjects, while CO response was compensated by a higher heart rate increase. COPD patients with DH experienced a reduction of SV/VO₂ and CO/VO₂ compared to those without DH. In COPD patients, the end-expiratory lung volume (EELV) increase was related to SV/VO₂ and CO/VO₂ slopes, and it was the only independent predictor of cardiac response to exercise. However, in the regression models without EELV, plasma IL-1β and high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T were also retained as independent predictors of SV/VO₂ slope.

CONCLUSION

Dynamic hyperinflation decreases the cardiac response to exercise of COPD patients. This effect is related to systemic inflammation and myocardial stress but not with left ventricle diastolic dysfunction.

Genetic evidence for a causative effect of airflow obstruction on left ventricular filling: a Mendelian randomisation study

Background

Observational studies on the general population have suggested that airflow obstruction associates with left ventricular (LV) filling. To limit the influence of environmental risk factors/exposures, we used a Mendelian randomisation (MR) approach based on common genetic variations and tested whether a causative relation between airflow obstruction and LV filling can be detected.

Methods

We used summary statistics from large genome-wide association studies (GWAS) on the ratio of forced expiratory volume in 1 s to forced vital capacity (FEV1/FVC) measured by spirometry and the LV end-diastolic volume (LVEDV) as assessed by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging. The primary MR was based on an inverse variance weighted regression. Various complementary MR methods and subsets of the instrument variables were used to assess the plausibility of the findings.

Results

We obtained consistent evidence in our primary MR analysis and subsequent sensitivity analyses that reducing airflow obstruction leads to increased inflow to the LV (odds ratio [OR] from inverse variance weighted regression 1.05, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.01–1.09, P = 0.0172). Sensitivity analyses indicated a certain extent of negative horizontal pleiotropy and the estimate from biased-corrected MR-Egger was adjusted upward (OR 1.2, 95% CI 1.09–1.31, P < 0.001). Prioritisation of single genetic variants revealed rs995758, rs2070600 and rs7733410 as major contributors to the MR result.

Conclusion

Our findings indicate a causal relationship between airflow obstruction and LV filling in the general population providing genetic context to observational associations. The results suggest that targeting (even subclinical) airflow obstruction can lead to direct cardiac improvements, demonstrated by an increase in LVEDV. Functional annotation of single genetic variants contributing most to the causal effect estimate could help to prioritise biological underpinnings.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12931-021-01795-9.

Temporal Trends in the Incidence of Heart Failure among Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Its Association with Mortality

Rationale: Heart failure (HF) is a common comorbidity in the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) population, but previous research has shown underrecognition.Objectives: The objectives of this study were to determine the incidence of HF in a prevalent COPD cohort and to determine the association of incident HF with short- and long-term mortality of patients with COPD.Methods: Crude incidence of HF in the HF-naive primary care COPD population was calculated for each year from 2006 to 2016 using UK data from the Clinical Practice Research Datalink (CPRD). Patients with COPD were identified using a validated code list and were required to be >35 years old at COPD diagnosis, have a history of smoking, and have documented airflow obstruction. The Office of National Statistics provided mortality data for England. Adjusted mortality rate ratios (aMRRs) from Poisson regression were calculated for patients with COPD and incident HF (COPD-iHF) in 2006, 2011, and 2015, and compared temporally with patients with COPD and without incident HF (COPD-no HF) in those years. Regression was adjusted for age, sex, body mass index, severity of airflow limitation, smoking status, history of cardiovascular disease, and diabetes.Results: We identified 95,987 HF-naive patients with COPD. Crude incidence of HF was steady from 2006 to 2016 (1.18 per 100 person-years; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.09-1.27). Patients with COPD-iHF experienced greater than threefold increase in 1-year mortality and twofold increase in 5-year and 10-year mortality compared with patients with COPD-no HF, with no change on the basis of year of HF diagnosis. Mortality of patients with COPD-iHF did not improve over time, comparing incident HF in 2011 (1-yr aMRR, 1.26; 95% CI, 0.83-1.90; 5-yr aMRR, 1.26; 95% CI, 0.98-1.61) and 2015 (1-yr aMRR, 1.63; 95% CI, 0.98-2.70) with incident HF in 2006.Conclusions: The incidence of HF in the UK COPD population was stable in the last decade. Survival of patients with COPD and incident HF has not improved over time in England. Bespoke guidelines for the diagnosis and management of HF in the COPD population are needed to improve identification and survival of patients.

Low body mass is associated with reduced left ventricular mass in Chinese elderly with severe COPD

There is limited information on the association of body mass index (BMI) with left ventricular (LV) remodeling corresponding to severity of reduced lung function in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Therefore, we investigated whether BMI is associated with cardiac atrial and ventricular dimensions according to severity of lung functional impairment in Chinese COPD elderly. A total of 563 hospitalized COPD patients with lung function impairment and 184 patients with non-COPD (aged 65–92 years) were collected retrospectively in a cross-sectional study in a university affiliated tertiary hospital in China. BMI and cardiac echocardiographic parameters were compared according to severity of lung functional impairment in COPD patients. BMI was 22.9 ± 3.9 kg/m² in COPD patients, 24.0 ± 4.1 kg/m² in non-COPD patients respectively. Reduced BMI, LV mass index, LV wall thickness and left atrial diameter, and dilated right ventricle (RV) existed in COPD patients with severe lung dysfunction as compared the COPD patients with mild to moderate lung functional reduction and non-COPD patients (P < 0.05), while there were no differences in BMI and echocardiographic parameters between the COPD patients with mild to moderate lung functional decline and non-COPD patients (P > 0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that low BMI (BMI < 18.5 kg/m²) was correlated with reduced LV mass and wall thickness, dilated RV and reduced lung function in the COPD patients with severe lung dysfunction. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that lower BMI is associated not only with dilated RV and impaired pulmonary function, but also it is related to reduced LV mass in Asian COPD elderly with severe lung dysfunction.

Factors Influencing the Length of Hospital Stay Among Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) in Macao Population: A Retrospective Study of Inpatient Health Record

Purpose

This study aims to identify the effects of patient and clinical therapy factors on the length of hospital stay (LOS) for admission due to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in Macao.

Patients and Methods

Health record of patients with COPD admitted to Kiang Wu Hospital from January 2017 to December 2019 was retrospectively analyzed. Demographic information, blood test results, clinical therapies, and LOS were described and analyzed by multivariable regression.

Results

A total of 1116 admissions were included with the average LOS being 12.28 (±9.23) days. Among them, 735 (66.6%) were male with mean age 79.42 (±10.35) years old, 697 were current or previous smokers (62.5%), and 360 (32.2%) had 3 or more comorbidities. During hospitalization, the most common treatments received were oxygen therapy (n=991,88.8%), antibiotics (n=828,74.2%), and systemic steroids (n=596,53.4%); only 120 (10.8%) had pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) and 128 (11.5%) received noninvasive ventilation (NIV). Inhaled medications were used during nearly 95% of hospitalization cases, while 2 and 3 types of inhaled medications were used during 230 (20.6%) and 582 (52.2%) hospitalization cases, respectively. Patient factors including age (B=0.178, 95% CI:0.535–1.072), being female (B=−1.147, 95% CI:-0.138–0.056), being current (B=−0.086, 95% CI:-0.124–0.018) or previous smoker (B=0.072, 95% CI:0.004–0.087), having 1, 2, 3 and over 3 comorbidities (B=0.126, 95% CI:0.034–0.147; B=0.125, 95% CI:0.031–0.144; B=0.116, 95% CI:0.028–0.146, B=0.090, 95% CI:0.021–0.166) and having low hemoglobin level (B=−0.118, 95% CI:-0.629- −0.214) exhibited significant associations with LOS. The use of NIV (B=0.080, 95% CI:0.022–0.138), pulmonary rehabilitation (B=0.269, 95% CI:0.212–0.327), two and three types of inhaled medications (B=0.109, 95% CI:0.003–0.166, B=0.255, 95% CI:0.083–0.237) were significantly associated with longer LOS (P<0.05).

Conclusion

NIV, PR and combined inhaled medications, which are often used for AECOPD, are the main clinical therapies associated with longer LOS in Macao. Smoking cessation, early treatments of comorbidities may be crucial to avoiding AECOPD and reducing LOS and disease burden.

Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA): JACC Focus Seminar 5/8

The MESA (Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis) is a National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute-sponsored prospective study aimed at studying the prevalence, progression, determinants, and prognostic significance of subclinical cardiovascular disease in a sex-balanced, multiethnic, community-dwelling U.S. cohort. MESA helped usher in an era of noninvasive evaluation of subclinical atherosclerosis presence, burden, and progression for the evaluation of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk, beyond what could be predicted by traditional risk factors alone. Concepts developed in MESA have informed international patient care guidelines, providing new tools to effectively guide public health policy, population screening, and clinical decision-making. MESA is grounded in an open science model that continues to be a beacon for collaborative science. In this review, we detail the original goals of MESA, and describe how the scope of MESA has evolved over time. We highlight 10 significant MESA contributions to cardiovascular medicine, and chart the path forward for MESA in the year 2021 and beyond.

COPD maintenance medication is linked to left atrial size: Results from the COSYCONET cohort

BACKGROUND

Lung function impairment in COPD is known to be related to reductions of left heart size, while short-term interventional trials with bronchodilators showed positive effects on cardiac parameters. We investigated whether COPD maintenance therapy has analogous long-term effects.

METHODS

Pooled data of GOLD grade 1-4 patients from visits 1 and 3 (1.5 y apart) of the COSYCONET cohort were used. Medication was categorized as use of ICS, LABA + ICS, LABA + LAMA and triple therapy (LABA + LAMA + ICS), contrasting "always" versus "never". Echocardiographic parameters comprised left ventricular end-diastolic and -systolic diameter (LVEDD, LVESD), ejection fraction (LVEF) and left atrial diameter (LA). Associations were identified by multiple regression analysis, as well as propensity score analysis.

RESULTS

Overall, 846 patients (mean age 64.5 y; 41% female) were included, 53% using ICS at both visits, 51% LABA + ICS, 56% LABA + LAMA, 40% LABA + LAMA + ICS (triple) therapy. Conversely, 30%, 32%, 28% and 42% had no ICS, LABA + ICS, LABA + LAMA or triple therapy, respectively, at both visits. Among echocardiographic measures, only LA showed statistically significant associations (increases) with medication, whereby significant effects were linked to ICS, LABA + ICS and LABA + LAMA (p < 0.05 each, "always" versus "never") and propensity score analyses underlined the role of LABA + LAMA.

CONCLUSIONS

In this observational study, COPD maintenance therapy, especially LABA + LAMA, was linked to left atrial size, consistent with the results of short-term interventional trials. These findings suggest that maintenance medication for COPD does not only improve lung function and patient reported outcomes but may also have an impact on the cardiovascular system.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

NCT01245933.

Aortic enlargement in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and emphysema: The Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA) COPD study

BACKGROUND

The prevalence of abdominal aortic aneurysm is high in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) population. Emphysema involves proteolytic destruction of elastic fibers. Therefore, emphysema may also contribute to thoracic aorta dilatation. This study assessed aorta dilation in smokers stratified by presence of COPD, emphysema and airway thickening.

METHODS

Aorta diameters were measured on 3D magnetic resonance angiography in smokers recruited from the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA), the Emphysema and Cancer Action Project (EMCAP), and the local community. COPD was defined by standard spirometric criteria; emphysema was measured quantitatively on computed tomography and bronchitis was determined from medical history.

RESULTS

Participants (n = 315, age 58-79) included 150 with COPD and 165 without COPD, of whom 56% and 19%, respectively, had emphysema. Subjects in the most severe quartile of emphysematous change showed the largest diameter at all four aorta locations compared to those in the least severe quartiles (all p < 0.001). Comparing subjects with and without COPD, aorta diameters were larger in participants with severe COPD in ascending and arch (both p < 0.001), and abdominal aorta (p = 0.001). Chronic bronchitis and bronchial wall thickness did not correlate with aorta diameter. In subjects with emphysema, subjects with coexistence of COPD showed larger aorta than those without COPD in ascending (p = 0.003), arch (p = 0.002), and abdominal aorta (p = 0.04).

CONCLUSIONS

This study showed larger aorta diameter in subjects with COPD and severe emphysema compared to COPD related to chronic bronchitis or bronchial wall thickening.

Effects of Dynamic Hyperinflation on Left Ventricular Diastolic Function in Healthy Subjects - A Randomized Controlled Crossover Trial

Objective: Diastolic dysfunction of the left ventricle is common in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Dynamic hyperinflation has been suggested as a key determinant of reduced diastolic function in COPD. We aimed to investigate the effects of induced dynamic hyperinflation on left ventricular diastolic function in healthy subjects to exclude other confounding mechanisms associated with COPD. Design: In this randomized controlled crossover trial (NCT03500822, https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/), we induced dynamic hyperinflation using the validated method of expiratory resistance breathing (ERB), which combines tachypnea with expiratory resistance, and compared the results to those of tachypnea alone. Healthy male subjects (n = 14) were randomly assigned to the ERB or control group with subsequent crossover. Mild, moderate, and severe hyperinflation (i.e., ERB1, ERB2, ERB3) were confirmed by intrinsic positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP_i) using an esophageal balloon catheter. The effects on diastolic function of the left ventricle were measured by transthoracic echocardiographic assessment of the heart rate-adjusted transmitral E/A-ratio and E/e'-ratio. Results: We randomly assigned seven participants to the ERB group and seven to the control group (age 26 [24-26] vs. 24 [24-34], p = 0.81). Severe hyperinflation decreased the E/A-ratio compared to the control condition (1.63 [1.49-1.77] vs. 1.85 [0.95-2.75], p = 0.039), and moderate and severe ERB significantly increased the septal E/e'-ratio. No changes in diastolic function were found during mild hyperinflation. PEEPi levels during ERB were inversely correlated with the E/A ratio (regression coefficient = -0.007, p = 0.001). Conclusions: Our data indicate dynamic hyperinflation as a determinant of left ventricular diastolic dysfunction in healthy subjects. Therapeutic reduction of hyperinflation might be a treatable trait to improve diastolic function in patients with COPD.

The Role of Stress Echocardiography in the Early Detection of Diastolic Dysfunction in Non-Severe Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Patients

Fundamento

A dispneia por esforço é uma queixa comum de pacientes com insuficiência cardíaca com fração de ejeção preservada (ICFEP) e doença pulmonar obstrutiva crônica (DPOC). A ICFEP é comum na DPOC e é um fator de risco independente para a progressão e exacerbação da doença. A detecção precoce, portanto, tem grande relevância clínica.

Objetivos

O objetivo deste estudo foi detectar a frequência de ICFEP mascarada em pacientes com DPOC não grave com dispneia aos esforços, sem doença cardiovascular manifesta, e analisar a correlação entre ICFEP mascarada e os parâmetros do teste cardiopulmonar de exercício (TCPE).

Métodos

Aplicamos o TCPE em 104 pacientes com DPOC não grave com dispneia aos esforços, sem doença cardiovascular evidente. A ecocardiografia foi realizada antes e no pico do TCPE. Os valores de corte para disfunção diastólica ventricular esquerda e direita induzida por estresse (DDVE/DDVD) foram E/e’ >15; E/e’ >6, respectivamente. A análise de correlação foi feita entre os parâmetros do TCPE e o estresse E/d’. Valor de p<0,05 foi considerado significativo.

Resultados

64% dos pacientes tinham DDVE induzida por estresse; 78% tinham DDVD induzida por estresse. Ambos os grupos com estresse DDVE e DDVD obtiveram carga menor, V’O₂ e pulso de O₂ mais baixos, além de apresentarem redução na eficiência ventilatória (maiores inclinações de VE/VCO₂). Nenhum dos parâmetros do TCPE foram correlacionados com E/e’ DDVE/DDVD induzida por estresse.

Conclusão

Há uma alta prevalência de disfunção diastólica induzida por estresse em pacientes com DPOC não grave com dispneia aos esforços, sem doença cardiovascular evidente. Nenhum dos parâmetros do TCPE se correlaciona com E/e’ induzida por estresse. Isso demanda a realização de Ecocardiografia sob estresse por exercício (EES) e TCPE para detecção precoce e manejo adequado da ICFEP mascarada nesta população. (Arq Bras Cardiol. 2021; 116(2):259-265)

Motor Pathophysiology Related to Dyspnea in COPD Evaluated by Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing

In chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), exertional dyspnea, which increases with the disease’s progression, reduces exercise tolerance and limits physical activity, leading to a worsening prognosis. It is necessary to understand the diverse mechanisms of dyspnea and take appropriate measures to reduce exertional dyspnea, as COPD is a systemic disease with various comorbidities. A treatment focusing on the motor pathophysiology related to dyspnea may lead to improvements such as reducing dynamic lung hyperinflation, respiratory and metabolic acidosis, and eventually exertional dyspnea. However, without cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET), it may be difficult to understand the pathophysiological conditions during exercise. CPET facilitates understanding of the gas exchange and transport associated with respiration-circulation and even crosstalk with muscles, which is sometimes challenging, and provides information on COPD treatment strategies. For respiratory medicine department staff, CPET can play a significant role when treating patients with diseases that cause exertional dyspnea. This article outlines the advantages of using CPET to evaluate exertional dyspnea in patients with COPD.

Reduction of COPD Hyperinflation by Endobronchial Valves Improves Intercostal Muscle Morphology on Ultrasound

Background and Objectives

Parasternal intercostal ultrasound morphology reflects spirometric COPD severity. Whether this relates to the systemic nature of COPD or occurs in response to hyperinflation is unknown. We aimed to assess changes in ultrasound parasternal intercostal muscle quantity and quality (echogenicity) in response to relief of hyperinflation. We hypothesised that reduction in hyperinflation following endobronchial valve (EBV) insertion would increase ultrasound parasternal thickness and decrease echogenicity.

Methods

In this prospective cohort study, eight patients with severe COPD underwent evaluation of health-related quality of life, lung function, and sonographic thickness of 2^nd parasternal intercostal muscles and diaphragm thickness, both before and after EBV insertion. Relationships between physiological and radiographic lung volumes, quality of life and ultrasound parameters were determined.

Results

Baseline FEV₁ was 1.02L (SD 0.37) and residual volume (RV) was 202% predicted (SD 41%). Median SGRQ was 63.26 (range 20–70.6). Change in RV (−0.51 ± 0.9L) following EBV-insertion showed a strong negative correlation with change in parasternal thickness (r = −0.883) ipsilateral to EBV insertion, as did change in target lobe volume (−0.89 ± 0.6L) (r = −0.771). Parasternal muscle echogenicity, diaphragm thickness and diaphragm excursion did not significantly change.

Conclusions

Dynamic changes in intercostal muscle thickness on ultrasound measurement occur in response to relief of hyperinflation. We demonstrate linear relationships between intercostal thickness and change in hyperinflation following endobronchial valve insertion. This demonstrates the deleterious effect of hyperinflation on intrinsic inspiratory muscles and provides an additional mechanism for symptomatic response to EBVs.

Induction of dynamic hyperinflation by expiratory resistance breathing in healthy subjects - an efficacy and safety study

New Findings

What is the central question of this study?

The study aimed to establish a novel model to study the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)‐related cardiopulmonary effects of dynamic hyperinflation in healthy subjects.

What is the main finding and its importance?

A model of expiratory resistance breathing (ERB) was established in which dynamic hyperinflation was induced in healthy subjects, expressed both by lung volumes and intrathoracic pressures. ERB outperformed existing methods and represents an efficacious model to study cardiopulmonary mechanics of dynamic hyperinflation without potentially confounding factors as present in COPD.

Abstract

Dynamic hyperinflation (DH) determines symptoms and prognosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The induction of DH is used to study cardiopulmonary mechanics in healthy subjects without COPD‐related confounders like inflammation, hypoxic vasoconstriction and rarefication of pulmonary vasculature. Metronome‐paced tachypnoea (MPT) has proven effective in inducing DH in healthy subjects, but does not account for airflow limitation. We aimed to establish a novel model incorporating airflow limitation by combining tachypnoea with an expiratory airway stenosis. We investigated this expiratory resistance breathing (ERB) model in 14 healthy subjects using different stenosis diameters to assess a dose–response relationship. Via cross‐over design, we compared ERB to MPT in a random sequence. DH was quantified by inspiratory capacity (IC, litres) and intrinsic positive end‐expiratory pressure (PEEPi, cmH₂O). ERB induced a stepwise decreasing IC (means (95% CI): tidal breathing: 3.66 (3.45–3.88), ERB 3 mm: 3.33 (1.75–4.91), 2 mm: 2.05 (0.76–3.34), 1.5 mm: 0.73 (0.12–1.58) litres) and increasing PEEPi (tidal breathing: 0.70 (0.50–0.80), ERB 3 mm: 11.1 (7.0–15.2), 2 mm: 22.3 (17.1–27.6), 1.5 mm: 33.4 (3.40–63) cmH₂O). All three MPT patterns increased PEEPi, but to a far lesser extent than ERB. No adverse events during ERB were noted. In conclusion, ERB was proven to be a safe and efficacious model for the induction of DH and might be used for the investigation of cardiopulmonary interaction in healthy subjects.

Multimorbidity in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a complex disease manifested primarily as airflow limitation that is partially reversible as confirmed by spirometry. COPD patients frequently develop systemic manifestations, such as skeletal muscle wasting and cachexia. COPD patients often develop other comorbid diseases, such as ischemic heart disease, heart failure, osteoporosis, anemia, lung cancer, and depression. Comorbidities complicate management of COPD and need to be evaluated because detection and treatment have important consequences. Novel approaches aimed at integrating the multiple morbidities seen in COPD and other chronic diseases will provide new avenues of research and allow developing more comprehensive and effective therapeutic approaches.

Implications of Managing Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease in Cardiovascular Diseases

Globally, cardiovascular diseases and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are the leading causes of the noncommunicable disease burden. Overlapping symptoms such as breathing difficulty and fatigue, with a lack of awareness about COPD among physicians, are key reasons for under-diagnosis and resulting sub-optimal care relative to COPD. Much has been published in the past on the pathogenesis and implications of cardiovascular comorbidities in COPD. However, a comprehensive review of the prevalence and impact of COPD management in commonly encountered cardiac diseases is lacking. The purpose of this study was to summarize the current knowledge regarding the prevalence of COPD in heart failure, ischemic heart disease, and atrial fibrillation. We also discuss the real-life clinical presentation and practical implications of managing COPD in cardiac diseases. We searched PubMed, Scopus, EMBASE, and Google Scholar for studies published 1981-May 2020 reporting the prevalence of COPD in the three specified cardiac diseases. COPD has high prevalence in heart failure, atrial fibrillation, and ischemic heart disease. Despite this, COPD remains under-diagnosed and under-managed in the majority of patients with cardiac diseases. The clinical implications of the diagnosis of COPD in cardiac disease includes the recognition of hyperinflation (a treatable trait), implementation of acute exacerbations of COPD (AECOPD) prevention strategies, and reducing the risk of overuse of diuretics. The pharmacological agents for the management of COPD have shown a beneficial effect on cardiac functions and mortality. The appropriate management of COPD improves the cardiovascular outcomes by reducing hyperinflation and preventing AECOPD, thus reducing the risk of mortality, improving exercise tolerance, and quality of life.

Effect of Dynamic Hyperinflation on Cardiac Response to Exercise of Patients With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

INTRODUCTION

Although the major limitation to exercise performance in patients with COPD is dynamic hyperinflation (DH), little is known about its relation with cardiac response to exercise. Our objectives were to compare the exercise response of stroke volume (SV) and cardiac output (CO) between COPD patients with or without DH and control subjects, and to assess the main determinants.

METHODS

Fifty-seven stable COPD patients without cardiac comorbidity and 25 healthy subjects were recruited. Clinical evaluation, baseline function tests, computed tomography and echocardiography were conducted in all subjects. Patients performed consecutive incremental exercise tests with measurement of operating lung volumes and non-invasive measurement of SV, CO and oxygen uptake (VO₂) by an inert gas rebreathing method. Biomarkers of systemic inflammation and oxidative stress, tissue damage/repair, cardiac involvement and airway inflammation were measured.

RESULTS

COPD patients showed a lower SV/VO₂ slope than control subjects, while CO response was compensated by a higher heart rate increase. COPD patients with DH experienced a reduction of SV/VO₂ and CO/VO₂ compared to those without DH. In COPD patients, the end-expiratory lung volume (EELV) increase was related to SV/VO₂ and CO/VO₂ slopes, and it was the only independent predictor of cardiac response to exercise. However, in the regression models without EELV, plasma IL-1β and high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T were also retained as independent predictors of SV/VO₂ slope.

CONCLUSION

Dynamic hyperinflation decreases the cardiac response to exercise of COPD patients. This effect is related to systemic inflammation and myocardial stress but not with left ventricle diastolic dysfunction.

[Diagnostic and Prognostic Markers of Chronic Heart Failure in Patients with Occupational Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease]

Aim      Heart failure (HF) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are a common comorbidity. Professional chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (PCOPD) is a specific phenotype, which suggests peculiarities in the development of HF. Difficulties of HF diagnosis in such patients determine the relevance of searching for additional markers. The aim of the study was identifying HF markers in patients with PCOPD.Material and methods  This single-site, cohort, prospective, observational study included 345 patients. The main group consisted of PCOPD patients; the comparison group consisted of patients with COPD induced by tobacco smoking; and the control group included conventionally healthy individuals. The groups were matched by the index of coincidence; pairs were matched at 1:1 by the "nearest neighbor index"; covariates for matching included COPD duration, sex, and age. Each group included 115 patients. The major professional adverse factors were silica-containing dust and organic solvents. COPD was diagnosed according to GOLD criteria; HF was diagnosed in accordance with Russian clinical guidelines. The markers were determined by multifactorial logistic regression. Likelihood of events with allowance for the time to the event was analyzed by the Kaplan-Meier method.Results HF in PCOPD patients was characterized by biventricular damage, preserved left ventricular ejection fraction, and frequent hospitalizations for decompensation (17.5 % vs. 9.5 % for COPD in smokers). HF markers in patients with PCOPD included the length of work of more than 20 years, pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP) higher than 35 mm Hg according to data of Doppler echocardiography, diffusing capacity of lungs for carbon monoxide (DLCO) less than 50 %, increased serum concentrations of CC-chemokine ligand 18 (CCL18), S-100‑beta protein, and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-pro-BNP). Diagnostic sensitivity of the multifactorial model was 84 % and specificity was 81 %. Two models were proposed for purposes of screening, which included the following parameters: length of work, exposure to aromatic hydrocarbons, decreased distance in 6-min walk test by more than 60 m per year and length of work, exposure to inorganic dust, and decreased forced expiratory volume during the first second by more than 55 ml per year.Conclusion      The markers for development of HF in PCOPD patients are length of work &gt;20 years, PASP &gt;35 mm Hg, DLCO &lt;50 %, and increased serum concentrations of CCL18, S-100‑beta protein, and NT-pro-BNP.

Dynamic Hyperinflation Impairs Cardiac Performance During Exercise in COPD

PURPOSE

To investigate the correlation between a plateau in minute ventilation (Equation is included in full-text article.)E during cardiopulmonary exercise tests (CPETs) and its impact on cardiac performance.

METHODS

This retrospective study analyzed 2575 CPETs of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The study randomly selected 10 patients with a plateau in the (Equation is included in full-text article.)E curve, suggesting dynamic hyperinflation, 10 patients with normal pattern for the (Equation is included in full-text article.)E curve, and 10 healthy persons. Classic CPET variables, the new ventilation hyperinflation index, and the dynamic cardiac constraint index were analyzed.

RESULTS

The patients with dynamic hyperinflation presented with lower ventilation at 100% work rate (P < .0001), without significant differences in (Equation is included in full-text article.)E at 50% and 100% work rate. Patients with dynamic hyperinflation also presented with a lower oxygen pulse (O2 pulse) at 100% (P < .0001), without significant difference in O2 pulse at 50% and 100% work rate. The subjects with dynamic hyperinflation had a higher ventilation hyperinflation index (P < .0001) and dynamic cardiac constraints index (P < .0001). The ventilation hyperinflation index correlated with the dynamic cardiac constraints index (r = 0.81, P < .0001); oxygen pulse variation (r =-0.63, P < .001); (Equation is included in full-text article.)E/(Equation is included in full-text article.)CO2 slope (r =-0.57, P < .01); work rate (r =-0.86, P < .0001); (Equation is included in full-text article.)O2 (r =-0.80, P < .0001), and (Equation is included in full-text article.)E (r =-0.83, P < .0001).

CONCLUSION

There is a correlation between a plateau in the (Equation is included in full-text article.)E during CPET, suggesting hyperinflation, and it has an impact on cardiac performance.

Left ventricular dysfunction in COPD without pulmonary hypertension

Objectives

We aimed to assess prevalence of left ventricular (LV) systolic and diastolic function in stable cohort of COPD patients, where LV disease had been thoroughly excluded in advance.

Methods

100 COPD outpatients in GOLD II-IV and 34 controls were included. Patients were divided by invasive mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP) in COPD-PH (≥25 mmHg) and COPD-non-PH (<25 mmHg), which was subdivided in mPAP ≤20 mmHg and 21–24 mmHg. LV myocardial performance index (LV MPI) and strain by tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) were used for evaluation of LV global and systolic function, respectively. LV MPI ≥0.51 and strain ≤-15.8% were considered abnormal. LV diastolic function was assessed by the ratio between peak early (E) and late (A) velocity, early TDI E´, E/E´, isovolumic relaxation time, and left atrium volume.

Results

LV MPI ≥0.51 was found in 64.9% and 88.5% and LV strain ≤-15.8% in 62.2.% and 76.9% in the COPD-non-PH and COPD-PH patients, respectively. Similarly, LV MPI and LV strain were impaired even in patients with mPAP <20 mmHg. In multiple regression analyses, residual volume and stroke volume were best associated to LV MPI and LV strain, respectively. Except for isovolumic relaxation time, standard diastolic echo indices as E/A, E´, E/E´ and left atrium volume did not change from normal individuals to COPD-non-PH.

Conclusions

Subclinical LV systolic dysfunction was a frequent finding in this cohort of COPD patients, even in those with normal pulmonary artery pressure. Evidence of LV diastolic dysfunction was hardly present as measured by conventional echo indices.

The link between dynamic hyperinflation, autonomic dysfunction and exercise testing parameters with masked heart failure in patients with non-severe obstructive pulmonary disease

OBJECTIVES

Autonomic dysfunction (AD) and dynamic hyperinflation (DH) have been implicated as pathophysiological mechanisms of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients. Their association, however, remains elusive: The aims of the study were: (1) to determine the prevalence of AD and DH in non-severe COPD patients, with exertional dyspnea, without clinically overt cardio-vascular (CV) comorbidities; (2) to analyze the correlation and clinical significance between DH, AD, and maksed HFpEF.

METHODS

We applied CPET in 68 subjects. Echocardiography was performed before CPET and 1-2 min after peak exercise. IC manoeuvres were applied. Patients were divided into two groups: patients with and without masked HFpEF. Wilkoff method calculated the meatabolic - chronotropic relationship (MCR). Chronotropic incompetence (CI) and abnormal HR recovery (HRR) were determined.

RESULTS

The prevalence of CI was 77 vs. 52% in patients with/without masked HFpEF; of abnormal HRR - 98 vs. 62% respectively; of DH - 53 vs. 29%. ICdyn was associated with AD. Univariate regression showed association between masked HFpEF, ICdyn, HRR, oxygenuptake ('VO₂), 'VO₂ at anaerobic threshold, oxygen (O₂) pulse and 'VE/'VCO₂ slope. None of these parameters is an independent predictor for masked HFpEF.

CONCLUSIONS

DH, AD, and masked HFpEF are prevalent in non-severe COPD patients, who complain of exertional dyspnea and are free of clinically overt CV comorbidities. DH is independently associated with AD. Neither AD, nor DH and CPET are independent predictors for masked HFpEF.

Treatment of COPD and COPD-heart failure comorbidity in primary care in different stages of the disease

Background:

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a chronic respiratory disease that may have a negative impact on both patients’ quality of life and survival. Patients with COPD frequently suffer from heart failure (HF), likely owing to several shared risk factors.

Aim:

To evaluate the differences in treatment of COPD with and without HF comorbidity according to COPD severity in the general practitioner setting.

Methods:

We conducted an observational, retrospective study using data obtained from the Italian Health Search Database, which collects information generated by the routine activity of general practitioners. The study sample included 225 patients with COPD, alone or combined with HF.

Findings:

It has been found that the prevalence of some comorbidities such as diabetes and HF significantly increases with the severity of COPD. Regarding pharmacological treatment, a reduction in the prescription of individually administered long-acting β 2-agonists (LABAs) and long-acting anticholinergics (LAMAs) has been observed with increasing severity of the disease. Moreover, an increase in the prescription of both the combination of the two bronchodilators (LABA + LAMA) and their association with inhaled corticosteroids has been observed with increasing severity of COPD. The prescription of β-blockers in patients with COPD suffering from HF comorbidity decreases from 100% in stage I to less than 50% in the other stages of COPD. This study shows that general practitioners do not follow the guidelines recommendations for the management of patients with COPD in the different stages of the disease, with and without HF comorbidity, as well as in the management of HF. Further efforts must be made to ensure adequate treatment for these patients.

Smaller Left Ventricle Size at Noncontrast CT Is Associated with Lower Mortality in COPDGene Participants

Background Smokers with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) have smaller left ventricles (LVs) due to reduced preload. Skeletal muscle wasting is also common in COPD, but less is known about its contribution to LV size. Purpose To explore the relationships between CT metrics of emphysema, venous vascular volume, and sarcopenia with the LV epicardial volume (LV_EV) (myocardium and chamber) estimated from chest CT images in participants with COPD and then to determine the clinical relevance of the LV_EV in multivariable models, including sex and anthropomorphic metrics. Materials and Methods The COPDGene study (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00608764) is an ongoing prospective longitudinal observational investigation that began in 2006. LV_EV, distal pulmonary venous blood volume for vessels smaller than 5 mm² in cross section (BV5), CT emphysema, and pectoralis muscle area were retrospectively extracted from 3318 nongated, unenhanced COPDGene CT scans. Multivariable linear and Cox regression models were used to explore the association between emphysema, venous BV5, pectoralis muscle area, and LV_EV as well as the association of LV_EV with health status using the St George's Respiratory Questionnaire, 6-minute walk distance, and all-cause mortality. Results The median age of the cohort was 64 years (interquartile range, 57-70 years). Of the 2423 participants, 1806 were men and 617 were African American. The median LV_EV between Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) 1 and GOLD 4 COPD was reduced by 13.9% in women and 17.7% in men (P < .001 for both). In fully adjusted models, higher emphysema percentage (β = -4.2; 95% confidence interval [CI]: -5.0, -3.4; P < .001), venous BV5 (β = 7.0; 95% CI: 5.7, 8.2; P < .001), and pectoralis muscle area (β = 2.7; 95% CI: 1.2, 4.1; P < .001) were independently associated with reduced LV_EV. Reductions in LV_EV were associated with improved health status (β = 0.3; 95% CI: 0.1, 0.4) and 6-minute walk distance (β = -12.2; 95% CI: -15.2, -9.3). These effects were greater in women than in men. The effect of reduced LV_EV on mortality (hazard ratio: 1.07; 95% CI: 1.05, 1.09) did not vary by sex. Conclusion In women more than men with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, a reduction in the estimated left ventricle epicardial volume correlated with a loss of pulmonary venous vasculature, greater pectoralis muscle sarcopenia, and lower all-cause mortality. © RSNA, 2020 Online supplemental material is available for this article.

Risk factors associated with pulmonary hemorrhage and hemoptysis following percutaneous CT-guided transthoracic lung core needle biopsy: a retrospective study of 1,090 cases

Background

Pulmonary hemorrhage and hemoptysis are the second-most common and potentially life-threatening complications after pneumothorax following percutaneous computed tomography-guided transthoracic lung biopsy (PCTLB). Preventing hemorrhagic complications after PCTLB requires an accurate estimation of risk factors. This study investigated the risk factors associated with pulmonary hemorrhage and hemoptysis following PCTLB, and whether the ratio of main pulmonary artery diameter (mPAD) to ascending aorta diameter (mPAD/AAD ratio) is a risk factor.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed 1,090 cases of PCTLB obtained from 1,050 patients using a core needle. The risk factors for overall pulmonary hemorrhage, higher-grade pulmonary hemorrhage, and hemoptysis were evaluated by multivariate analysis of patient characteristics, computed tomography (CT) imaging data including pulmonary artery diameter (mPAD) to ascending aorta diameter (mPAD/AAD) ratio, technical variables related to the biopsy, and pathologic findings.

Results

Pulmonary hemorrhage occurred in 31.38% (342/1,090) of PCTLB cases, including lower-grade (24.4%, 266/1,090) and higher-grade hemorrhage (6.97%, 76/1,090). The incidence of hemoptysis was 3.03% (33/1,090). Multivariate analysis revealed significant associations between overall pulmonary hemorrhage and lesion location in the lower lobe, subsolid and smaller lesions, greater lesion depth, and lung metastases. For higher-grade pulmonary hemorrhage, an mPAD/AAD ratio >1, smaller lesions, greater lesion depth, emphysema, and lung metastases were risk factors. Risk factors for hemoptysis were history of hypertension and lower- and higher-grade pulmonary hemorrhage.

Conclusions

Pulmonary artery enlargement detected by CT (mPAD/AAD ratio >1) is independently associated with higher-grade pulmonary hemorrhage following PCTLB.

Artificial Intelligence in COPD: New Venues to Study a Complex Disease

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a complex and heterogeneous disease that can benefit from novel approaches to understanding its evolution and divergent trajectories. Artificial intelligence (AI) has revolutionized how we can use clinical, imaging, and molecular data to understand and model complex systems. AI has shown impressive results in areas related to automated clinical decision making, radiological interpretation and prognostication. The unique nature of COPD and the accessibility to well-phenotyped populations result in an ideal scenario for AI development. This review provides an introduction to AI and deep learning and presents some recent successes in applying AI in COPD. Finally, we will discuss some of the opportunities, challenges, and limitations for AI applications in the context of COPD.

[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.

Practical recommendations for the use of beta-blockers in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

INTRODUCTION

Controversies regarding the use of beta-blocker in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) have been longstanding and based on inconsistent data. COPD and cardiovascular disease have many shared risk factors and potentially overlapping pathophysiologic mechanisms. Beta-blockers, a mainstay of treatment in ischemic heart disease, congestive heart failure, and cardiac arrhythmia, remain underutilized in COPD patients despite considerable evidence of safety. Furthermore, observational studies indicated the potential benefits of beta-blockers in COPD via a variety of possible mechanisms. Recently, a randomized controlled trial of metoprolol versus placebo failed to show a reduction in COPD exacerbation risk in subjects with moderate to severe COPD and no absolute indication for beta-blocker use.

AREAS COVERED

Physiology of beta-adrenergic receptors, links between COPD and cardiovascular disease, and the role of beta-blockers in COPD management are discussed.

EXPERT COMMENTARY

Beta-blockers should not be used to treat COPD patients who do not have conditions with clear guideline-directed recommendations for their use. Vigilance is recommended in prescribing these medications for indications where another drug class could be utilized.

Calculating air volume fractions from computed tomography images for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease diagnosis

Quantitative evaluation using image biomarkers calculated from threshold-segmented low-attenuation areas on chest computed tomography (CT) images for diagnosing chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD) has been widely investigated. However, the segmentation results depend on the applied threshold and slice thickness of the CT images because of the partial volume effect (PVE). In this study, the air volume fraction (AV/TV) of lungs was calculated from CT images using a two-compartment model (TCM) for COPD diagnosis. A relative air volume histogram (RAVH) was constructed using the AV/TV values to describe the air content characteristics of lungs. In phantom studies, the TCM accurately calculated total cavity volumes and foam masses with percent errors of less than 8% and ±4%, respectively. In patient studies, the relative volumes of normal and damaged lung tissues and the damaged-to-normal RV ratio were defined and calculated from the RAVHs as image biomarkers, which correctly differentiated COPD patients from controls in 2.5- and 5-mm-thick images with areas under receiver operating characteristic curves of >0.94. The AV/TV calculated using the TCM can prevent the effect of slice thickness, and the image biomarkers calculated from the RAVH are reliable for diagnosing COPD

Cardio-Pulmonary Changes After Bronchoscopic Lung Volume Reduction with Endobronchial One-Way Valves

INTRODUCTION

To evaluate the cardio-pulmonary hemodynamics changes before and after valve treatment, and their correlation with lobe volume reduction.

METHODS

This retrospective multicentre study included consecutive patients undergoing bronchoscopic valve treatment for heterogeneous emphysema. In addition to standard functional evaluation, patients underwent cardiac evaluation by Doppler trans-thoracic echocardiography. The difference in respiratory and cardio-pulmonary hemodynamics indexes before and 3-month after the procedure, and their relationship with changes in lobar volume were evaluated.

RESULTS

Seventy-seven patients were included in the study; of these 13 (17%) presented pulmonary hypertension. Only patients with target lobar volume reduction ≥ 563 mL (n = 50) presented a significant improvement of forced expiratory volume in one second, residual volume, 6 min-walk test, and St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire score; a significant reduction of pulmonary artery pressure, and an improvement of left and right ventricle end-systolic volume; of left and right ventricle end-diastolic volume, and of left and right ventricle stroke volume. The change in residual volume was significantly correlated with changes in forced expiratory volume in one second (r = 0.68; p < 0.001); in 6 min-walk test (r = 0.71; p < 0.001); in St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire (r = 0.54; p < 0.001); in pulmonary artery pressure (r = 0.39; p = 0.001), in left (r = 0.28; p = 0.01) and right (r = 0.33; p = 0.002) ventricle end-systolic volume, in left (r =  - 0.29; p = 0.008) and right (r =  - 0.34; p = 0.007) end-diastolic volume, and in left (r =  - 0.76; p = 0.009) and right (r =  - 0.718; p = 0.001) ventricle stroke volume.

CONCLUSION

Bronchoscopic valve treatment seemed to have positive effects on cardio-pulmonary hemodynamics, and these changes were correlated with reductions of lobar volume.

Associations of Serum Adipokines With Subclinical Interstitial Lung Disease Among Community-Dwelling Adults: The Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA)

BACKGROUND

Adipokines have inflammatory and fibrotic properties that may be critical in interstitial lung disease (ILD). We examined associations of serum adipokine levels with CT imaging-based measures of subclinical ILD and lung function among community-dwelling adults.

METHODS

A subset of the original Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis cohort (n = 1,968) had adiponectin, leptin, and resistin measured during follow-up visits (2002-2005). We used regression models to examine associations of adiponectin, leptin, and resistin levels with (1) high-attenuation areas (HAAs) from CT scans (2004-2005, n = 1,144), (2) interstitial lung abnormalities (ILAs) from CT scans (2010-2012, n = 872), and (3) FVC from spirometry (2004-2006, n = 1,446). We used -(1/HAA2), which we denoted with H, to model HAA as our outcome to meet model assumptions.

RESULTS

Higher adiponectin was associated with lower HAA on CT imaging among adults with a BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2 (P for BMI interaction = .07). Leptin was more strongly associated with ILA among never smokers compared with ever smokers (P for smoking interaction = .004). For every 1-SD increment of log-transformed leptin, the percent predicted FVC was 3.8% lower (95% CI, -5.0 to -2.5). Higher serum resistin levels were associated with greater HAA on CT in a fully adjusted model. For every 1-SD increment of log-transformed resistin there was an increase in H of 14.8 (95% CI, 3.4-26.3).

CONCLUSIONS

Higher adiponectin levels were associated with lower HAA on CT imaging among adults with a higher BMI. Higher leptin and resistin levels were associated with lower FVC and greater HAA, respectively.

Autonomic dysfunction, cardio-pulmonary exercise testing and masked heart failure with preserved ejection fraction in non-severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

BACKGROUND

Autonomic dysfunction (AD) and cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) parameters have been associated with masked heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) in the general population. Their clinical significance for masked HFpEF in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is however elusive.

AIM

The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence, correlation and clinical significance of AD and CPET with masked HFpEF, in non-severe COPD patients, complaining of exertional dyspnoea, without clinically overt cardio-vascular (CV) comorbidities.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We applied CPET and echocardiography in 68 COPD subjects. Echocardiography was performed before CPET and 1-2 min after peak exercise. Patients were divided into two groups: patients with and without masked HFpEF. Peak E/e' - 15 was applied as a cut-off. Chronotropic incompetence (CI) was assumed if both failure to reach the target heart rate (HR) on exercise and diminished heart rate reserve <80% occurred. Abnormal HR recovery (HRR) was taken if the decline is <12 beats within the first minute after exercise cessation. Univariate regression showed association between masked HFpEF, HRR, VO2, VO2 at AT, oxygen pulse and VE/VCO2 slope. The multivariate regression demonstrated HRR as the only independent predictor of masked HFpEF - (OR 10.28; 95% CI (3.55-29.80)).

CONCLUSION

Abnormal HRR is the only independent predictor of masked HFpEF in non-severe COPD patients. Despite of being associated with masked HFpEF, the lower VO2, lower oxygen pulse, higher VE/VCO2 slope and lower exercise load seem to be the consequences, rather than the triggers for it.

Clinical and Physiologic Implications of Negative Cardiopulmonary Interactions in Coexisting Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-Heart Failure

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HF) frequently coexist in the elderly. Expiratory flow limitation and lung hyperinflation due to COPD may adversely affect central hemodynamics in HF. Low lung compliance, increased alveolar-capillary membrane thickness, and abnormalities in pulmonary perfusion because of HF further deteriorates lung function in COPD. We discuss how those negative cardiopulmonary interactions create challenges in clinical interpretation of pulmonary function and cardiopulmonary exercise tests in coexisting COPD-HF. In the light of physiologic concepts, we also discuss the influence of COPD or HF on the current medical treatment of each disease.

Beta-blockeRs tO patieNts with CHronIc Obstructive puLmonary diseasE (BRONCHIOLE) - Study protocol from a randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Observational studies indicate that beta-blockers are associated with a reduced risk of exacerbation and mortality in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) even without overt cardiovascular disease, but data from randomized controlled trials (RCT) are lacking. The aim of this RCT is to investigate whether beta-blocker therapy in patients with COPD without diagnosed cardiovascular disease is associated with a decreased 1-year risk of the composite endpoint of death, exacerbations, or cardiovascular events.

METHODS

The Beta-blockeRs tO patieNts with CHronIc Obstructive puLmonary diseasE (BRONCHIOLE) study is an open-label, multicentre, prospective RCT. A total of 1700 patients with COPD will be randomly assigned to either standard COPD care and metoprolol at a target dose of 100 mg per day or to standard COPD care only. The primary endpoint is a composite of death, COPD exacerbations, and cardiovascular events. Major exclusion criteria are ischemic heart disease, left-sided heart failure, cerebrovascular disease, critical limb ischemia, and atrial fibrillation/flutter. Study visits are an inclusion visit, a metoprolol titration visit at 1 month, follow-up by telephone at 6 months, and a final study visit after 1 year. Outcome data are obtained from medical history and record review during study visits, as well as from national registries.

DISCUSSION

BRONCHIOLE is a pragmatic randomized trial addressing the potential of beta-blockers in patients with COPD. The trial is expected to provide relevant clinical data on the efficacy of this treatment on patient-related outcomes in patients with COPD.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov, ID: NCT03566667. Registered on 25 June 2018.

Prognostic role of bronchial asthma in patients with heart failure

There are few reports investigating the relationship between bronchial asthma (BA) and heart failure (HF). We hypothesized BA may have impact on prognosis in patients with HF. Among 323 consecutive outpatients with HF, 191 patients without chronic obstructive pulmonary disease were analyzed. Twenty patients had BA, most of whom (80.0%) had preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF ≥ 50%). The use of β-blockers was less frequent (55.0% vs 83.0%. p = 0.01), systolic blood pressure (133 ± 22 vs 120 ± 17 mmHg, p = 0.003), and heart rate (83 ± 14 vs 74 ± 15 bpm, p = 0.02) were higher in patients with BA than those without BA. During median follow up of 24 months, 45 (23.6%) experienced primary outcome defined as a composite of all-cause death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, nonfatal ischemic stroke, and unexpected hospitalization due to HF. Multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed that the presence of BA was independently associated with the occurrence of primary outcome (hazard ratio 3.08, 95% CI 1.42-6.71, p = 0.004). In the subgroup analysis of patients with preserved LVEF, patients with BA exhibited worse outcomes (p = 0.03 by log-rank). Patients with HF complicated by BA, most of whom had preserved LVEF, exhibited worse outcomes than those without BA.

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.

A temporal visualization of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease progression using deep learning and unstructured clinical notes

BACKGROUND

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a progressive lung disease that is classified into stages based on disease severity. We aimed to characterize the time to progression prior to death in patients with COPD and to generate a temporal visualization that describes signs and symptoms during different stages of COPD progression.

METHODS

We present a two-step approach for visualizing COPD progression at the level of unstructured clinical notes. We included 15,500 COPD patients who both received care within Partners Healthcare's network and died between 2011 and 2017. We first propose a four-layer deep learning model that utilizes a specially configured recurrent neural network to capture irregular time lapse segments. Using those irregular time lapse segments, we created a temporal visualization (the COPD atlas) to demonstrate COPD progression, which consisted of representative sentences at each time window prior to death based on a fraction of theme words produced by a latent Dirichlet allocation model. We evaluated our approach on an annotated corpus of COPD patients' unstructured pulmonary, radiology, and cardiology notes.

RESULTS

Experiments compared to the baselines showed that our proposed approach improved interpretability as well as the accuracy of estimating COPD progression.

CONCLUSIONS

Our experiments demonstrated that the proposed deep-learning approach to handling temporal variation in COPD progression is feasible and can be used to generate a graphical representation of disease progression using information extracted from clinical notes.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease as a Predictor of Cardiovascular Risk: A Case-Control Study

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a complex multi-morbid disorder with significant cardiac mortality. Current cardiovascular risk prediction models do not include COPD. We investigated whether COPD modifies future cardiovascular risk to determine if it should be considered in risk prediction models.Case-control study using baseline data from two randomized controlled trials performed between 2012 and 2015. Of the 90 eligible subjects, 26 COPD patients with lung hyperinflation were propensity matched for 10-year global cardiovascular risk score (QRISK2) with 26 controls having normal lung function. Patients underwent cardiac magnetic resonance imaging, arterial stiffness and lung function measurements. Differences in pulse wave velocity (PWV), total arterial compliance (TAC) and aortic distensibility were main outcome measures.PWV (mean difference 1.0 m/s, 95% CI 0.02-1.92; p = 0.033) and TAC (mean difference -0.27 mL/m²/mmHg, 95% CI 0.39-0.15; p < 0.001) were adversely affected in COPD compared to the control group. The PWV difference equates to an age, sex and risk-factor adjusted increase in relative risk of cardiovascular events and mortality of 14% and 15%, respectively.There were no differences in aortic distensibility. In the whole cohort (n = 90) QRISK2 (β = 0.045, p = 0.005) was associated with PWV in multivariate analysis. The relationship between QRISK2 and PWV were modified by COPD, where the interaction term reached significance (p = 0.014). FEV1 (β = 0.055 (0.027), p = 0.041) and pulse (B = -0.006 (0.002), p = 0.003) were associated with TAC in multivariate analysis.Markers of cardiovascular outcomes are adversely affected in COPD patients with lung hyperinflation compared to controls matched for global cardiovascular risk. Cardiovascular risk algorithms may benefit from the addition of a COPD variable to improve risk prediction and guide management.HAPPY London ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01911910 and HZC116601; ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01691885.

Lung Function in Young Adults and Risk of Cardiovascular Events Over 29 Years: The CARDIA Study

Background

Diminished peak lung function in young adulthood is a risk factor for future chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The association between lung disease and cardiovascular disease later in life is well documented. Whether peak lung function measured in young adulthood is associated with risk of future cardiovascular events is unknown.

Methods and Results

CARDIA (The Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults) study is a prospective, multicenter, community‐based, longitudinal cohort study including 4761 participants aged 18 to 30 years with lung function testing we investigated the association between lung health in young adulthood and risk of subsequent cardiovascular events. We performed Cox proportional hazards regression to test the association between baseline and years 10 and 20 pulmonary function with incident cardiovascular events. Linear and logistic regression was performed to explore the associations of lung function with development of risk factors for cardiovascular disease as well as carotid intima‐media thickness and coronary artery calcified plaque. At baseline, mean age (±SD) was 24.9±3.6 years. Baseline forced expiratory volume in 1 second (hazard ratio) per −10‐unit decrement in percent predicted forced expiratory volume in 1 second (hazard ratio, 1.18; 95% CI, 1.06–1.31 [P=0.002]) and FVC per −10‐unit decrement in percent predicted FVC (hazard ratio, 1.19; 95% CI, 1.06–1.33 [P=0.003]) were associated with future cardiovascular events independent of traditional cardiovascular risk factors. Baseline lung function was associated with heart failure and cerebrovascular events but not coronary artery disease events.

Conclusions

Lung function in young adulthood is independently associated with cardiovascular events into middle age. This association appears to be driven by heart failure and cerebrovascular events rather than coronary heart disease.

Clinical Trial Registration

URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT00005130.