Cerebrovascular responses to submaximal exercise in women with COPD

Background: COPD patients have decreased physical fitness, and have an increased risk of vascular disease. In the general population, fitness is positively associated with resting cerebral blood flow velocity, however, little is known about the cerebrovascular response during exercise particularly in COPD patients. We hypothesized that COPD patients would have lower cerebral blood flow during exercise secondary to decreased physical fitness and underlying vascular disease. Methods: Cardiopulmonary exercise testing was conducted in 11 women with GOLD stage I-II COPD, and 11 healthy controls to assess fitness. Cerebro- and cardio-vascular responses were compared between groups during two steady-state exercise tests (50% peak O2 consumption and 30 W). The main outcome variable was peak middle cerebral artery blood flow velocity (V P) during exercise using transcranial Doppler ultrasonography. Results: Physical fitness was decreased in COPD patients. V P was comparable between COPD and controls (25 +/- 22% versus 15 +/- 13%, respectively; P > 0.05) when exercising at the same relative intensity, despite patients having higher blood pressure and greater arterial desaturation. However, V P was elevated in COPD (31 +/- 26% versus 13 +/- 10%; P
Source: BMC Pulmonary Medicine - Latest articles - Category: Respiratory Medicine Authors: Source Type: research