INCIDENCE OF CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE AMONG COPD PATIENTS WITH UNCONTROLLED DYSPNOEA DESPITE OPTIMAL BRONCHODILATOR THERAPY

Abstract

Introduction: Both coronary artery disease (CAD) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) have high rates of morbidity and mortality. Systemic inflammation, as demonstrated in several studies of COPD patients, is also associated with atherosclerotic plaque formation. Various studies had demonstrated varying incidence of CAD among COPD patients. However, it is unclear that how much contribution of CAD is responsible for the worsening of COPD symptoms.