Capabilities of radionuclide imaging study in the evaluation of pulmonary hemodynamics and right ventricular function in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

OBJECTIVE: To assess the capabilities of radionuclide imaging studies in the evaluation of pulmonary hemodynamics and right ventricular function in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). SUBJECT AND METHODS: Twenty-one patients aged 55.8 +/- 9.7 years with COPD (forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), 37.43 +/- 15.46%; BODE index, 6.30 +/- 2.66) were examined. A comparison group included 15 patients aged 56.3 +/- 8.3 years without cardiorespiratory pathology. All the patients underwent radionuclide angiopulmonography (RAPG), equilibrium radionuclide tomoventriculography (ERTVG), external respiratory function testing, and determination of the plasma levels of endothelin-1 and stable nitric oxide metabolites. RESULTS: Analysis of the results of ERTVG and RAPG in the study and comparison groups has shown that the chanrades in the lesser circucr moderate. r index and smoking intensity have demonstrated the statistically significant association with the indicators of pulmonary circulation. The plasma level of endothelin-1 was higher1in the patients with COPD than in those in the comparison group. CONCLUSION: Right dysfunction is moderate in COPD as this process is preceded by structural changes in the bronchi, parenchyma, and lung vessels. To identify lesser circulatory dysfunction in COPD, one should orient to the indicators of RAPG that can verify pulmonary hemodynamic disorders and to the data of ERTVG that shows right ventricular systolic and diastolic function and right atrial dimensions.