Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 2, 2026
Cutoff Value of Phase Angle by Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis at Admission as a Prognostic Factor in Patients with Acute Heart Failure
Published on: June 10, 2025
Investigation of the relationship between subcarinal angle values and mortality in chronic obstructive pulmonary
Ayşe Şahin Tutak1, Hüseyin Avni Fındıklı2, Ercan Çil3
1Department of Internal Medicine, Adıyaman University School of Medicine, Adıyaman, Türkiye.
Insights
Narrower subcarinal angles (SCA) are linked to higher mortality in intensive care unit (ICU) patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). SCA may serve as a simple radiographic marker for assessing mortality risk in these patients.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonary Medicine
- Critical Care Medicine
- Radiology
Background:
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a leading cause of intensive care unit (ICU) admissions.
- Assessing mortality risk in critically ill COPD patients is crucial for clinical management.
- Existing mortality prediction models may not fully utilize readily available radiographic data.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between subcarinal angle (SCA) values and mortality in ICU-admitted COPD patients.
- To determine if SCA can serve as a prognostic indicator in this patient population.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective study of 108 COPD patients admitted to the ICU.
- Subcarinal angle (SCA) values measured from posterior-anterior chest X-rays (PA-CXRs).
- Comparison of SCA values between survivor and non-survivor groups.
Main Results:
- Narrower SCA values were significantly associated with increased mortality (p=0.025).
- Other significant predictors of mortality included congestive heart failure, higher creatinine, elevated C-reactive protein (CRP), hypoalbuminemia, and higher APACHE-II scores.
- Narrower SCA was identified as a potential independent predictor of mortality.
Conclusions:
- Narrower subcarinal angle (SCA) on chest radiographs is associated with increased mortality in critically ill COPD patients.
- SCA offers a simple, accessible radiographic marker for mortality risk stratification.
- Further research could integrate SCA into existing prognostic models for COPD patients in the ICU.
Purpose:
We aimed to investigate the relationship between subcarinal angle (SCA) values and mortality in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU).
Materials And Methods:
This retrospective study included 108 patients with COPD who were admitted to the ICU between January 2018 and December 2018. SCA values on posterior-anterior chest X-rays (PA-CXRs) were recorded from the patients' Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS). Patients were divided into survivor and non-survivor groups.
Results:
In this study, congestive heart failure was found to be associated with mortality (p = 0.011). In addition, higher creatinine levels (p = 0.034), elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) levels (p = 0.01), hypoalbuminemia (p = 0.018), narrower SCA values (p = 0.025), and higher Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE-II) scores (p = 0.001) were associated with mortality.
Conclusion:
Narrower SCA values, advanced age, elevated creatinine and CRP levels, hypoalbuminemia, and higher APACHE-II scores were associated with increased mortality in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients admitted to the ICU. These findings suggest that SCA measured on routine chest radiographs may serve as a simple and readily available radiographic marker for mortality risk assessment in critically ill COPD patients.
More Related Videos
10:38Observational Study Protocol for Repeated Clinical Examination and Critical Care Ultrasonography Within the Simple Intensive Care Studies
Published on: January 16, 2019
04:53Author Spotlight: Traditional Chinese Medicine for Sleep Disorders in Acute COPD — A Safe, Cost-Effective Approach
Published on: October 18, 2024
Related Concept Videos
01:27Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-IV: Assessement and Diagnostic Studies
Medical History
01:25Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-III: Symptoms and Complications.
Symptoms of COPD can be classified as primary or systemic. Primary symptoms relate to reduced airflow, while systemic or extrapulmonary symptoms relate to COPD's broader impact on the body.
Primary Symptoms of COPD:
01:20Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-I: Introduction
01:30Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-V: Nursing Management
Assessment
01:24Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Smoking is a primary risk factor for COPD, with over 80% of patients having a history of it. Patients typically experience progressive dyspnea or labored breathing, frequent coughing, and recurrent pulmonary infections. Many eventually succumb to respiratory failure, characterized by...
01:23Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease I: Introduction