Arterial stiffness of peripheral vasculature in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and its association with arterial hypertension

Aim. To study the structural and functional state of vascular wall, arterial stiffness of large peripheral arteries (common carotid arteries, renal arteries) in patients with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and its association with arterial hypertension. Methods. The study included 67 patients of working age, mainly males, having chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Among them, 52 patients had severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (defined by GOLD III, 2011), 15 had concomitant arterial hypertension of I and II stage. Structural and functional status of common carotid arteries, renal arteries was assessed by measurement of intima-media thickness, arterial stiffness indexes were calculated. Arterial elasticity indices: arterial compliance, elastic index, Young’s elastic modulus were calculated based on the results of ultrasonography of main arterial wall parameters (diameter, arterial wall thickness) and blood pressure measurement. Results. A decrease in common carotid arteries and renal arteries wall elasticity was revealed in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Increase of stiffness index in patients with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease associated with arterial hypertension, marking the decreased arterial wall elasticity, was registered both in common carotid arteries and renal arteries. Conclusion. In common carotid arteries vascular wall thickness contribute the most in vascular wall stiffness increase, compared to altered hemodynamics in renal arteries. Development of arterial hypertension in these patients is a predicting factor for further large vessel remodeling associated with hypoxia.

chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, arterial hypertension, arterial stiffness, hypoxia