Arterial stiffness in patients with COPD: the role of systemic inflammation and the effects of pulmonary rehabilitation

L.E.G.W. Vanfleteren*, M.A. Spruit, M.T.J. Groenen, P.L.B. Bruijnzeel, Z. Taib, E.P.A. Rutten, J. op 't Roodt, M.A. Akkermans, E.F.M. Wouters, F.M.E. Franssen

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

Clear evidence for an association between systemic inflammation and increased arterial stiffness in patients with COPD is lacking. Moreover, the effects of pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) on arterial stiffness are not well studied.We aimed 1. to confirm increased arterial stiffness in COPD; 2. to evaluate its correlates including systemic inflammation; and 3. to study whether or not it is influenced by PR.Aortic pulse wave velocity (APWV) was determined in 168 healthy volunteers and APWV and inflammatory markers in 162 COPD patients during baseline evaluation of a PR-program. A complete post-PR dataset was collected in 129 patients.APWV was increased in COPD patients compared to controls. Blood pressure and age predicted baseline APWV. Systemic inflammatory markers were not independently related to APWV. Although baseline APWV was predictive for the change in APWV after PR (r= -0.77), on average APWV did not change (10.7+/-2.7 vs. 10.9+/-2.5 m.s-1; p=0.339).Arterial stiffness in COPD is not related to systemic inflammation and does not respond to state-of-the-art PR. These results emphasize the complexity of cardiovascular risk and its management in COPD.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1306-1315
Number of pages10
JournalEuropean Respiratory Journal
Volume43
Issue number5
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - May 2014

Keywords

  • PULSE-WAVE VELOCITY
  • CARDIOVASCULAR RISK
  • BLOOD-PRESSURE
  • TERM ENDURANCE
  • EXERCISE
  • DISEASE
  • COMORBIDITIES
  • STRENGTH
  • OLDER
  • OSTEOPOROSIS

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