Endothelial dysfunction in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in combination with coronary heart disease

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is associated with increased cardiovascular mortality. Endothelial dysfunction may underpin this association. Vascular endothelial dysfunction is known to be an important prognostic marker for cardiovascular events. The aim of this study was to evaluate the state of the vascular wall in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) combined with chronic coronary artery disease (CAD). Materials and methods. The study included 108 patients: 37 patients with COPD and CAD and 71 patients with COPD without CAD. Endothelial function was studied in tests with reactive hyperemia and nitroglycerin. The number of blood plasma desquamated endothelio-cytes were determined by the Hladovec method. In patients with COPD identified are signs of vascular wall remodeling: thickening wall of the brachial artery, reduction of the flow-mediated vasodilation. Patients with COPD in combination with CHD demonstrated higher impairments of the vasoregulatory dysfunction of endothelial of the vascular wall. Conclusion. In patients with COPD combined with chronic coronary heart disease more pronounced endothelial dysfunction with disturbance of endothelium-dependent vasomotor reactions.