Arterial stiffness, hemodynamic and functional profile at exacerbation and recovery in COPD

Background: Acute exacerbation in COPD (AECOPD) impairs patient’s functional capacity and increases the risk for cardiovascular diseases. Arterial stiffness (AS) and hemodynamic measures are recognized predictors of cardiovascular morbimortality in COPD. However, it is still unclear the behavior of AS and central and peripheral hemodynamic measures at acute and recovery of an exacerbation event in COPD patients. Aim: To investigate AS, hemodynamic parameters and functional profile in hospitalized patients with AECOPD and 30 days after discharge. Methods: Nine COPD patients (63 ± 9 yrs; FEV 1 = 47 ± 13% pred) were included. Central and peripheral systolic and diastolic blood pressures (cSBP, cDBP, pSBP and pDBP), pulse pressures (cPP and pPP), augmented pressure (AP), pulse wave velocity (PWV) and amplification index (AIx) were measured. The functional profile was evaluated by handgrip strength (HS). Results: We observed significant differences in central and peripheral pressures (cSBP, p = 0.04; pSBP, p = 0.05; cPP, p = 0.02; pPP, p = 0.03; AP, p = 0.02) between acute and recovery period, whereas AS (PWV and AIx) did not change between the moments (p = 0.63 and p = 0.12, respectively). Regardless of the period (acute or recovery), we found a significant (p Conclusion: Central and peripheral hemodynamic measures are more impaired at AECOPD than at recovery period. The AS, as a cardiovascular risk factor, is associated with functional capacity both at exacerbation and recovery. Support: FAPESP (2015/12763-4 and 2015/26501-1) / CAPES.