Airflow limitation in patients with heart failure: Prevalence and associated factors

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and heart failure (HF) are 2 diseases with high morbidity and mortality. The coexistence of these two diseases is estimated to be frequent, but has been poorly studied.

To study the prevalence of airflow limitation in a sample of patients diagnosed with HF in follow-up in an HF unit and to assess their characteristics and comorbidities.

This is a prospective observational study. The patients who visited the HF Unit of the Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol between January 2014 and June 2015 were included consecutively. Respiratory functional tests were performed and clinical data were obtained.

118 patients were included in the study (age 67.2 years, 77.1% men). The prevalence of non-reversible airflow obstruction was 36.4%, with an underdiagnosis percentage of 67.4%. Patients with airflow limitation had an increase in comorbidities, but no worse prognosis.

The prevalence of airflow limitation in patients with HF is high, with a significant degree of underdiagnosis. It seems reasonable to recommend performing a screening spirometry in these patients.