Acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: cardiovascular links.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a chronic, progressive lung disease resulting from exposure to cigarette smoke, noxious gases, particulate matter, and air pollutants. COPD is exacerbated by acute inflammatory insults such as lung infections (viral and bacterial) and air pollutants which further accelerate the steady decline in lung function. The chronic inflammatory process in the lung contributes to the extrapulmonary manifestations of COPD which are predominantly cardiovascular in nature. Here we review the significant burden of cardiovascular disease in COPD and discuss the clinical and pathological links between acute exacerbations of COPD and cardiovascular disease.
Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada ; UBC James Hogg Research Center, Institute for Heart and Lung Health, University of British Columbia, Canada.
Cheryl R
CR
Laratta
UBC James Hogg Research Center, Institute for Heart and Lung Health, University of British Columbia, Canada ; Respiratory Division, Department of Medicine, St. Paul's Hospital, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
Stephan
S
van Eeden
D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D018410:Pneumonia, Bacterial / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D011024:Pneumonia, Viral / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology*