Alterations in the peripheral circulation in COPD patients.
BACKGROUND
Although various factors influence peripheral circulation in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients, little is known about the vasomotor changes in these subjects.


OBJECTIVE
The present study was designed to assess alterations in the brachial circulation of COPD patients.


METHODS
Twenty-five COPD patients and 25 healthy subjects were studied. Brachial artery (BA) blood flow and indices of BA stiffness were investigated by two-dimensional ultrasonography and pulsed Doppler. Cardiac dimensions, left ventricular (LV) function and cardiac output were assessed by pulsed Doppler echocardiography.


RESULTS
A significant increase in LV mass was observed in the COPD group despite normal arterial pressure. Total arterial compliance and BA compliance were significantly decreased in COPD patients in comparison with healthy subjects. Heart rate was increased in COPD patients and was inversely correlated with PaO(2) and forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV(1)). A decrease in LV preload was expressed by a reduction in LV diastolic diameters and LV stroke volume. Patients with severe COPD have a lower BA surface area than patients with moderate COPD. FEV(1) and PaO(2) were significantly related to BA compliance.


CONCLUSIONS
In COPD patients, significant alterations in the peripheral circulation were observed. Moreover, the magnitude of changes in the peripheral circulation was related to the severity of COPD.
Boussuges
Alain
A
Institut de Médecine Navale du Service de Santé des Armées, Boulevard de Saint-Anne, 83800 Toulon Armées, France. alainboussuges@libertysurf.fr
Rossi
Pascal
P
Gouitaa
Marion
M
Nussbaum
Eric
E
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001783:Blood Flow Velocity; D001794:Blood Pressure; D001916:Brachial Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000294:innervation / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002302:Cardiac Output; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003187:Compliance; D018619:Echocardiography, Doppler, Pulsed; D005260:Female; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D017379:Hypertrophy, Left Ventricular / Q000503:physiopathology; D017078:Laser-Doppler Flowmetry; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010100:Oxygen / Q000097:blood; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000097:blood / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012039:Regional Blood Flow; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D018617:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Pulsed; D014666:Vasomotor System / Q000503:physiopathology*; D016277:Ventricular Function, Left
D010100:Oxygen