Cardiopulmonary relationships in patients with concomitant chronic obstructive pulmonary disease who were hospitalized for acute coronary syndrome

Aim. To study cardiopulmonary relationships in patients hospitalized for acute coronary syndrome with concomitant chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Materials and methods. Based on having/not having of COPD exacerbation on admission. 52 patients (29 men and 23 women) were divided into 2 groups: group 1 (n=33) with COPD exacerbation and group 2 (n=19) without COPD exacerbation. Patients examination inclused spirometry with bronchodilator test and identification of serum troponin T (TnT) levels. Results. In 30 patients TnT levels confirmed a development of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and in 22 patients TnT levels were below the diagnostic threshold. In patients with AMI mild-to-moderate COPD was prevalent (70.0% out of all cases) and exacerbation of COPD was diagnosed in 76.7% of patients on admission. TnT levels in patients with both AMI and an exacerbation of COPD were significantly higher compared to those in patients without COPD exacerbation: 0.78±0.17 and 0.59±0.14 ng/ml, respectively (p=0.014). Patients without AMI and with COPD exacerbation had higher TnT levels compared to patients without COPD exacerbation: 0.19±0.08 and 0.11±0.04 ng/ml respectively (p=0.002). Conclusion. Thus concomitant COPD, especially with acute exacerbation, is associated with an increased risk of AMI in patients hospitalized with acute coronary syndrome.