A RETROSPECTIVE STUDY OF ECHOCARDIOGRAPHIC FINDINGS IN CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE PATIENTS IN A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL

Abstract

Introduction: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a disease state characterized by 
the presence of airflow obstruction due to chronic bronchitis or emphysema, the airflow 
obstruction is generally progressive and may be accompanied by airway hyper-reactivity and may 
be partially reversible. Chronic bronchitis is defined as the presence of chronic productive cough 
on most of the days for at least 3 months, for at least 2 consecutive years. Emphysema is defined 
as abnormal permanent enlargement of distal air spaces, distal to terminal bronchioles, 
accompanied by destruction of their walls without obvious fibrosis.