ABSTRACT
Background: COPD can affect the heart as secondary effects of the disease. The electrocardiography has been seen as a very best tool for early diagnosis of any cardiac changes that may occur as a result of secondary effects of the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Objective of the study was to study the P wave axis and its correlation with severity of COPD.Methods: Here, 30 Patients of COPD confirmed by clinical history, examination and Pulmonary function tests were included in the study. These patients were clinically examined, and they underwent routine investigations like hemogram, urine examination, blood urea, serum creatinine, chest x-ray, random blood sugar, sputum examination and ABG analysis. These patients underwent pulmonary function test, ECG and ECHO.Results: In this study 36.66% of patients had RVH. Incomplete RBBB was seen in 20%. 13.33% had normal ECG. Most common finding in patients with less than one year of exposure was RVH. Low voltage complexes and R/S ratio in V1>1 were the only ECG changes with significant correlation with severity of the disease (p<0.05). Maximum no. of patients had a P wave axis of 71-800. the correlation between P wave axis and the duration of the disease was found to be statistically significant. the correlation between P wave axis and the severity of the disease was found to be statistically significant, 8/27 patients (29.63%) with less than one year of disease had features of corpulmonale.Conclusions: P-axis verticalization can serve as a very effective electrocardiographic screening tool for emphysema in the general population.
ABSTRACT
Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease progresses if the exposure to aggravating factors continues. As lung function is declined, even after exposure is reduced or totally stopped, the COPD continues to progress though may be at a slower pace and as an effect of increasing age. Objective of the study was to study the clinical profile of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease at a tertiary care hospital.Methods: A hospital based cross sectional study was carried out among 30 patients as decided by inclusion and exclusion criteria at MediCiti Institute of Medical Sciences, Medchal from November 2012 to June 2014. Detailed history, detailed clinical examination, Systemic examination and Forced expiratory volume (FEV1) was done for all patients included. Pack years of smoking was calculated. Data was entered in Excel worksheet and analyzed using proportions.Results: Maximum number of patients was in age group of 60-69 years (36.67%). Majority were males i.e. 83.34%. Smoking was major risk factor. Maximum number of patients (90%) had symptoms of less than one year of duration. Maximum number of patients (80%) had moderate to severe airflow obstruction at time of presentation and only 13.34% had mild disease. Four patients had mild form of the disease. Majority of patients with severe to very severe disease had more than 20 pack years. All patients in the study had breathlessness at the time of presentation. Wheeze and Crepitations were present in 96.66% of patients.Conclusions: Smoking has been found to be the major risk factor and it was positively correlated with the severity of COPD.