Sensitivity and specificity of echocardiographic parameters for right heart assessment in the evaluation of patients with COPD

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the third leading cause for disability, poor quality of life and death in 2022 аaccording to World Health Organization. An estimated 200 million people have COPD, of which about 3.2 million die each year. The aim of the study was to evaluate which echo-parameters related to right heart load, correlate with the degree of COPD in relation to sensitivity and specificity. The design of our study was a prospective-clinical cross-sectional study and we have analyzed 94 patients with COPD in correlation to13teen echo-parameters. All echocardiographic parameters were analyzed to understand their significance in disease progression in patients with COPD and increasing GOLD classes. The results showed that in more advanced stages of the disease, in GOLD III and IV group most of the patients were dominant. Our results were performed by regression analysis and statistically significant correlation was found in three echocardiographic parameters: S TDV DV, DV basal, and Gl. Strain DV in relation to the all-GOLD classes. Most relevant result in terms of highest sensitivity and specificity in predicting disease progression were: collapsibility of the vena cava > 50%, Myocardial performance index of the right ventricle (MPI DV TDI), and Global strain of the right ventricle (Gl. Strain DV) in the presence of abnormal values for the same. Global strain of RV and Myocardial performance index are reliable and important early echocardiographic markers with high sensitivity and specificity as a prognostic marker of early recognition of worsening of COPD. Echocardiography helps in early detection of cardiac complications in COPD cases giving time for early interventions.