Ambulatory haemodynamics in patients with COPD

While clinic-based assessments demonstrate increased resting aortic stiffness using pulse wave velocity (PWV) in patients with COPD compared to controls, there has been little reported on dynamic haemodynamics. We hypothesized that the 24 hour ambulatory haemodynamic and aortic PWV profile between patients and controls would also differ, reflecting increased cardiovascular risk. Consenting subjects, with and without COPD, all with g10 smoking pack years, were recruited. Dynamic BP and aortic PWV (brachial oscillometry-based Mobil-o-graph® ambulatory blood pressure machine (ABPM)) were assessed over 24 hours. Day- and night-averaged readings were recorded. Valid dynamic recordings were available in 20 patients and 19 controls, with similar age and % male, see Table. A trend of higher day- and night-averaged aortic PWV was observed in patients than controls, p= 0.17, and 0.07, respectively. Ambulatory BP was similar between groups. Although seen in controls, pl0.01, there was no significant nocturnal dip in aortic PWV in the patients, p=0.07. The Mobil-o-graph® ABPM is feasible in this pilot. It offers opportunity to assess the 24 hour profile of haemodynamics including aortic PWV in patients with COPD as opposed to one-off static measurements.