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Heart failure and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: An ignored combination?
Frans H Rutten1, Maarten-Jan M Cramer, Jan-Willem J Lammers
1Utrecht Heart Failure Organisation (UHFO), Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, PO Box 85060, Stratenum 6.101, 3508 AB Utrecht, the Netherlands. F.H.Rutten@umcutrecht.nl
The prevalence of heart failure and left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVSD) in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is common. More research and clinical attention are needed for diagnosis and treatment of these co-existing conditions.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Pulmonology
- Internal Medicine
Background:
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and heart failure (HF) are common conditions.
- Co-existence of COPD and HF presents diagnostic and therapeutic challenges.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of HF and left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVSD) in COPD patients and vice versa.
- To explore the diagnostic and therapeutic implications of these co-existing conditions.
Main Methods:
- A Medline search was conducted from 1966 to March 2005.
- Literature review focused on the prevalence of HF/LVSD in COPD and vice versa.
Main Results:
- Prevalence of LVSD in COPD patients varied (10-46%), especially during exacerbations.
- A prevalence of 21% previously unknown HF was found in asthma/COPD patients.
- No studies reported COPD prevalence in HF/LVSD patients.
- Diagnostic overlap in signs/symptoms complicates diagnosis.
- Most drug regimens are safe, but beta2-agonists and digitalis require caution.
Conclusions:
- Concomitant HF and COPD appear to be common, despite limited prevalence data.
- Increased clinical and research focus is warranted for these intertwined conditions.
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