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Integrated Use of Transthoracic Ultrasound and Echocardiography in Evaluating Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Background: Multiorgan clinical ultrasonography (pulmonary, cardiac, and vascular) has emerged as a tool of considerable usefulness in managing patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in numerous situations, including detecting concomitant heart failure or associated pulmonary hypertension. Objective: To study the role of integrated use of transthoracic ultrasound and echocardiography in evaluating patients with COPD and their relation to the severity of the disease. Patients and Methods: This study included 100 patients with clinically stable COPD during their follow up in the Chest Department and Chest Outpatient Clinic, Benha University Hospital. Patients were divided and classified according to GOLD 2019 (based on post bronchodilator FEV1) into 4 groups, each consisted of 25 patients. Results: All COPD patients in this study, were males, with a mean age of 60.77 ± 6.05 years (49–73). Prominent A lines were detected in 69% of patients, irregular pleural line was present in 12% of patients and A profile was detected in 43% of patients. The diaphragmatic ultrasound (US) findings were significantly decreased with the increase of severity. 86% of the study patients showed abnormal echo findings. Severe TR was recorded in 23% and severe PH was recorded in 5%. LVDD grade I was recorded in 33% of patients and LVDD grade II was reported in 7%. LVSD was reported in 4% of patients and cor pulmonale was reported in 12% of them. Conclusion: Integrated use of transthoracic US and echocardiography is of great usefulness in evaluating COPD patients, screening for PH, estimating the prognosis, and in careful monitoring of these patients.