Heart and lung blood vessel changes in COPD flare-ups measured by echocardiography
Uses heart ultrasound to track right heart function in adults with COPD flare-ups.
Plain-language title generated from the registry record
Registry title: Dynamic Changes in Right Ventricle and Pulmonary Artery Coupling Among COPD Patients With Acute Exacerbation
Key facts
- Where
- Asyut, EgyptSee the site
Where in Egypt
- Assuit universityAsyut, EgyptNo longer taking part
Questions to ask the study team
- How often do I need to come in, and for how long each time?
- Are travel costs paid?
- Can I keep my own doctor?
- What happens if I want to stop?
Trial details
- Who runs it
- Assiut University
- Trial code
- NCT07694713
- Record updated
- 10 July 2026
- Original description
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common, preventable, and manageable disease characterized by persistent respiratory symptoms and airflow limitation. Acute exacerbations of COPD (AECOPD) are major events in the course of the disease and are associated with increased hospital admissions, accelerated decline in lung function, impaired quality of life, and increased mortality. Assessment of exacerbation risk remains a key component of COPD management according to the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD).Read full original descriptionShow less
Dynamic Changes in Right Ventricle and Pulmonary Artery Coupling Among COPD Patients With Acute Exacerbation
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common, preventable, and manageable disease characterized by persistent respiratory symptoms and airflow limitation. Acute exacerbations of COPD (AECOPD) are major events in the course of the disease and are associated with increased hospital admissions, accelerated decline in lung function, impaired quality of life, and increased mortality. Assessment of exacerbation risk remains a key component of COPD management according to the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD).
Beyond its respiratory manifestations, COPD may have important cardiovascular consequences. Chronic hypoxia, pulmonary vascular remodeling, inflammation, and increased pulmonary vascular resistance may contribute to elevated pulmonary artery pressures and right ventricular (RV) dysfunction. Pulmonary hypertension associated with chronic lung disease is clinically important because it may worsen symptoms, exercise tolerance, and prognosis.
During acute exacerbations, worsening hypoxemia, hypercapnia, dynamic hyperinflation, and increased respiratory workload may further increase pulmonary vascular resistance and RV afterload. Transthoracic echocardiography provides a practical non-invasive method for evaluating right ventricular function and pulmonary hemodynamics through parameters such as tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE), pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP), and the TAPSE/PASP ratio, a recognized marker of RV-pulmonary artery coupling.
Inclusion: Patients aged more than 40 years diagnosed with COPD based on pulmonary function tests and admitted to ICU with severe AECOPD. Severe exacerbation is defined according to GOLD 2024 as an exacerbation requiring hospitalization or an emergency department visit, in addition to the acute worsening of respiratory symptoms occurring within ≤14 days.
Exclusion: Presence of moderate to severe aortic, mitral, tricuspid, or pulmonary valvular disease; A known history of left-sided heart failure before enrolment; refusal to participate in the study.