Prevalence of Pulmonary Hypertension in COPD Patients
Prevalence of Pulmonary Hypertension in COPD Patients
The prevalence of an increased pulmonary blood pressure amongst patients with chronic
 obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)is unclear. So is the impact of abnormal pulmonary blood
 pressure on symptoms. The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of an increased
 pulmonary blood pressure in 200 patients with COPD. Furthermore we will investigate if lung
 function test results and blood tests can predict an increased pulmonary blood pressure, and
 explore whether COPD patients with a high pulmonary blood pressure have more symptoms that
 their co-patients.
The prevalence of pulmonary hypertension in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary
 disease (COPD) is unclear. The presence of an abnormally increased pulmonary blood pressure
 worsens the prognosis of COPD, but the patients are not currently diagnosed or treated for
 pulmonary hypertension. The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of pulmonary
 hypertension in 200 patients with COPD and explore whether it worsens functional capacity and
 symptoms. Furthermore we will look into whether blood gas values, NT-proBNP, CRP and lung
 function test result can predict which patients are at risk of having pulmonary hypertension.

 Methods: All patients will be screened by echocardiography. Those with signs of pulmonary
 hypertension will be admitted to right heart catheterization for direct measurements of
 pulmonary haemodynamics.

 All patients will perform a 6 minutes walk test and spirometry. Blood levels of NT-proBNP and
 CRP will be measured. Life quality by the St. George Questionnaire and contacts to the health
 care system is also assessed. Differences in these parameters are analyzed among patients
 with no, moderate or severe pulmonary hypertension.
Inclusion Criteria:

 -  Diagnosis of COPD

 -  Prior admittance to hospital with exacerbation in COPD

 -  Informed consent

 Exclusion Criteria:

 -  Exacerbation in COPD less than 6 weeks before examination