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Methoxamine-induced increase in afterload. Effect on left ventricular performance in chronic obstructive pulmonary
The American Review of Respiratory Disease
|May 1, 1978
Summary
Severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients show normal left ventricular function. Even with increased afterload, their left ventricular ejection fraction and stroke volume index remained stable, suggesting no latent left ventricular dysfunction.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Pulmonology
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) can impact cardiac function.
- Left ventricular (LV) function is crucial for overall cardiovascular health.
- Understanding LV response to stress in COPD is important for patient management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and stroke volume index (SVI) in severe COPD patients.
- To determine if acute increases in afterload reveal latent LV dysfunction.
- To evaluate LV response to methoxamine challenge in severe COPD.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a radionuclide technique for precise LVEF and SVI measurements.
- Measured cardiac parameters in basal state and during methoxamine-induced afterload stress.
- Included 10 male patients with severe COPD, some with cor pulmonale.
Main Results:
- Resting LVEF was normal in all patients.
- LVEF and SVI showed no significant decrease after methoxamine infusion.
- Pulmonary capillary wedge pressure remained normal and unchanged.
Conclusions:
- Patients with severe COPD do not exhibit latent left ventricular dysfunction.
- The left ventricle maintains function despite increased afterload in this population.
- Findings suggest preserved LV systolic function in severe COPD.