[Is microembolism present and is it important element of COPD exacerbation?].
Pulmonary embolism often coexists with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and it is difficult to diagnose because of similar clinical symptoms. IN OUR STUDY: To try to answer the question if basic laboratory investigations reveal hypercoagulability and if so, if it has any impact on the course of COPD exacerbation.


METHODS
28 patients (11F, 17M) with COPD exacerbation were enrolled to the study. Hematocrit, hemoglobin concentration, platelet count, the level of fibrinogen and D-dimers and arterial blood gases were investigated. Lung function was assessed by spirometry. Risk factors of pulmonary embolism, the number of COPD exacerbation in the past 12 months and the exacerbation triggering factors were established with the help of a questionnaire.


RESULTS
On admission, abnormalities of the analysed parameters were found in 18 patients. This group was compared with the rest of the study group. There were no statistically significant differences in arterial blood gases and spirometrical values. There was a differences in the level of fibrinogen and D-domers.


CONCLUSIONS
The data suggest that in some patients COPD may be accompanied by intravascular coagulation but the influence of this process on the course of the exacerbation is unclear. Further studies on hemostasis impairment and its impact on exacerbation in patients with COPD are required.
Karwat
Krzysztof
K
Klinika i Katedra Chorób Wewnetrznych, Pneumonologii i Alergologii AM, Warszawie.
Kościuch
Justyna
J
Chazan
Ryszarda
R
D000368:Aged; D001784:Blood Gas Analysis; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D005340:Fibrinogen / Q000378:metabolism; D006400:Hematocrit; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010976:Platelet Count; D011446:Prospective Studies; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications*; D011655:Pulmonary Embolism / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013147:Spirometry; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D006454:Hemoglobins; D005340:Fibrinogen