Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 27, 2026
05:51
Measuring the Carotid to Femoral Pulse Wave Velocity (Cf-PWV) to Evaluate Arterial Stiffness
Published on: May 3, 2018
Is chronic obstructive pulmonary disease associated with increased arterial stiffness?
Julie H Janner1, David A McAllister, Nina S Godtfredsen
1Department of Respiratory Medicine, Hvidovre Hospital, Kettegaard Allé 30, 2650 Hvidovre, Denmark. julie.janner@hvh.regionh.dk
Respiratory Medicine
|December 6, 2011
Summary
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is not significantly linked to increased arterial stiffness, measured by aortic augmentation index (AIx). This study suggests arterial stiffness is not a common complication of COPD in the general population.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Pulmonary Medicine
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Arterial stiffness is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD).
- Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is prevalent and associated with CVD.
- The aortic augmentation index (AIx) is a non-invasive measure of arterial stiffness.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between COPD and arterial stiffness, specifically AIx.
- To determine if COPD independently increases AIx, adjusting for CVD risk factors.
Main Methods:
- Population-based study of 3374 individuals from the Copenhagen City Heart Study.
- Included 494 subjects with COPD.
- Used multiple linear regression to analyze the association between COPD and AIx, controlling for CVD risk factors.
Main Results:
- AIx was initially higher in subjects with COPD compared to those without.
- However, after adjusting for CVD risk factors, COPD was not significantly associated with an increase in AIx.
- Sensitivity analyses in younger men with COPD showed a modest increase in AIx.
Conclusions:
- AIx and COPD show only a weak association in the general population.
- Increased arterial stiffness, as measured by AIx, is unlikely to be a complication of COPD.
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