Background: The aim of this study was to define the involvement of some biomarkers in patients with COPD and Pulmonary Hypertension (PH), with particular attention to subgroups with a PH that is "out of proportion". Materials and Methods: Patients with COPD without PH, with PH and marked airways obstruction and with PH and mild airways obstruction were compared. Assays for human IL-6, Leukotriene B4 (LTB4), VIP and Endotelin 1 (ET-1) were performed on the blood samples taken during RHC in a pulmonary artery. Results: 83 patients were enrolled and divided into three groups: 37 simple COPD (mPAP <25 mmHg); 46 COPD with PH (mPAP ≥25 mmHg) and, among the latter, those who had an mPAP ≥35mmHg and FEV1≥50% were classified as "out of proportion" (OP) 7 patients. Patients with PH were older and had a BMI higher than the other groups; moreover, they had lower FEV1 and DLCO. A lower level of PaO2 was observed in the group of OP patients. The levels of ET-1, IL-6 and LTB4 were similar in each group; VIP was higher in the OP patients than in simple COPD and it was related to PAP . Conclusions: In the patients with COPD and PH and in particular in the group of out-of proportion PH, VIP is significantly increased, probably in order to correct the imbalance between vasoconstrictor and vasodilatator mediators.
Role of Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide in COPD with Pulmonary Hypertension
LACEDONIA, DONATO;CARPAGNANO, GIOVANNA ELISIANA;DI BIASE, MATTEO;FOSCHINO BARBARO, MARIA PIA
2014-01-01
Abstract
Background: The aim of this study was to define the involvement of some biomarkers in patients with COPD and Pulmonary Hypertension (PH), with particular attention to subgroups with a PH that is "out of proportion". Materials and Methods: Patients with COPD without PH, with PH and marked airways obstruction and with PH and mild airways obstruction were compared. Assays for human IL-6, Leukotriene B4 (LTB4), VIP and Endotelin 1 (ET-1) were performed on the blood samples taken during RHC in a pulmonary artery. Results: 83 patients were enrolled and divided into three groups: 37 simple COPD (mPAP <25 mmHg); 46 COPD with PH (mPAP ≥25 mmHg) and, among the latter, those who had an mPAP ≥35mmHg and FEV1≥50% were classified as "out of proportion" (OP) 7 patients. Patients with PH were older and had a BMI higher than the other groups; moreover, they had lower FEV1 and DLCO. A lower level of PaO2 was observed in the group of OP patients. The levels of ET-1, IL-6 and LTB4 were similar in each group; VIP was higher in the OP patients than in simple COPD and it was related to PAP . Conclusions: In the patients with COPD and PH and in particular in the group of out-of proportion PH, VIP is significantly increased, probably in order to correct the imbalance between vasoconstrictor and vasodilatator mediators.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
