Pulmonary artery enlargement and mortality risk in moderate to severe COPD: results from COPDGene

COPD is one of the leading causes of mortality worldwide [1]. Pulmonary hypertension has been associated with reduced survival among individuals with COPD [2] and is an independent risk factor for mortality following acute exacerbations of COPD (AECOPD) [3]. Measurement of the pulmonary artery to aorta (PA:A) ratio by computed tomography (CT) and assessment of pulmonary artery enlargement (PA:A >1) outperforms echocardiography in identifying pulmonary hypertension in severe COPD [4], and pulmonary artery enlargement has been independently associated with risk for total and severe AECOPD in two large prospective COPD cohorts [5].

Source: European Respiratory Journal - February 11, 2020 Category: Respiratory Medicine Authors: LaFon, D. C., Bhatt, S. P., Labaki, W. W., Rahaghi, F. N., Moll, M., Bowler, R. P., Regan, E. A., Make, B. J., Crapo, J. D., San Jose Estepar, R., Diaz, A. A., Silverman, E. K., Han, M. K., Hobbs, B., Cho, M. H., Washko, G. R., Dransfield, M. T., Wells, J Tags: Original Articles: Research letters Source Type: research