title: Electrocardiographic abnormalities and cardiac arrhythmias in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
abstract: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is independently associated with an increased burden of cardiovascular disease. Besides coronary artery disease (CAD) and congestive heart failure (CHF), specific electrocardiographic (ECG) abnormalities and cardiac arrhythmias seem to have a significant impact on cardiovascular prognosis of COPD patients. Disturbances of heart rhythm include premature atrial contractions (PACs), premature ventricular contractions (PVCs), atrial fibrillation (AF), atrial flutter (AFL), multifocal atrial tachycardia (MAT), and ventricular tachycardia (VT). Of note, the identification of ECG abnormalities and the evaluation of the arrhythmic risk may have significant implications in the management and outcome of patients with COPD. This article provides a concise overview of the available data regarding ECG abnormalities and arrhythmias in these patients, including an elaborated description of the underlying arrhythmogenic mechanisms. The clinical impact and prognostic significance of ECG abnormalities and arrhythmias in COPD as well as the appropriate antiarrhythmic therapy and interventions in this setting are also discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Grevena General Hospital, Grevena, Greece.
authors.forename: Christos A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Goudis
authors.affiliation: Department of Pulmonary Medicine, University of Ioannina Medical School, Greece.
authors.forename: Athanasios K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Konstantinidis
authors.affiliation: First Department of Cardiology, University of Ioannina Medical School, Greece.
authors.forename: Ioannis V
authors.initials: IV
authors.lastname: Ntalas
authors.affiliation: First Department of Cardiology, University of Ioannina Medical School, Greece. Electronic address: p.korantzopoulos@yahoo.gr.
authors.forename: Panagiotis
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Korantzopoulos
mesh_terms: D001145:Arrhythmias, Cardiac / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004562:Electrocardiography; D006329:Heart Conduction System / Q000503:physiopathology; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D011379:Prognosis; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000150:complications*
keywords: Arrhythmias; Atrial fibrillation; Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; Electrocardiogram; Electrocardiographic abnormalities; Prognosis