Small airway dysfunction in smokers with stable ischemic heart disease

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Pulmonology
• Internal Medicine

Background:

• Ischemic heart disease (IHD) patients exhibit a higher prevalence of airflow limitation (AL).
• Small airway dysfunction (SAD) is an early indicator of AL, but its prevalence in IHD is understudied.
• Understanding SAD in IHD is vital for assessing patient outcomes and future health risks.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the prevalence of SAD in stable IHD patients.
• To compare patient-related outcomes and future health risks between IHD patients with AL, SAD, and normal lung function.

Main Methods:

• Evaluated 118 consecutive smoking patients with stable IHD.
• Assessed SAD using impulse oscillometry.
• Performed pre- and post-bronchodilator spirometry.

Main Results:

• Prevalence of AL was 20.3% and SAD was 26.3%.
• IHD patients with SAD (without AL) showed reduced spirometry, poorer quality of life, elevated C-reactive protein (CRP), increased cardiovascular risk, and greater vascular age compared to controls.
• SAD in patients with normal spirometry was linked to pack-years, HDL-cholesterol, and CRP levels.

Conclusions:

• Small airway dysfunction (SAD) is prevalent in patients with ischemic heart disease (IHD).
• SAD is associated with diminished health status and elevated future cardiac risk in IHD patients.
• Identifying SAD in IHD patients is critical for risk stratification and management.