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International Journal of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease logoLink to International Journal of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
. 2013 Jun 28;8:305–312. doi: 10.2147/COPD.S31236

The association between COPD and heart failure risk: a review

Javier de Miguel Díez 1,✉, Jorge Chancafe Morgan 1, Rodrigo Jiménez García 2
PMCID: PMC3700784  PMID: 23847414

Abstract

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is commonly associated with heart failure (HF) in clinical practice since they share the same pathogenic mechanism. Both conditions incur significant morbidity and mortality. Therefore, the prognosis of COPD and HF combined is poorer than for either disease alone. Nevertheless, usually only one of them is diagnosed. An active search for each condition using clinical examination and additional tests including plasma natriuretic peptides, lung function testing, and echocardiography should be obtained. The combination of COPD and HF presents many therapeutic challenges. The beneficial effects of selective β1-blockers should not be denied in stable patients who have HF and coexisting COPD. Additionally, statins, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, and angiotensin-receptor blockers may reduce the morbidity and mortality of COPD patients. Moreover, caution is advised with use of inhaled β2-agonists for the treatment of COPD in patients with HF. Finally, noninvasive ventilation, added to conventional therapy, improves the outcome of patients with acute respiratory failure due to hypercapnic exacerbation of COPD or HF in situations of acute pulmonary edema. The establishment of a combined and integrated approach to managing these comorbidities would seem an appropriate strategy. Additional studies providing new data on the pathogenesis and management of patients with COPD and HF are needed, with the purpose of trying to improve quality of life as well as survival of these patients.

Keywords: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, heart failure

Introduction

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and heart failure (HF) frequently coexist in clinical practice.1 Both conditions share some risk factors including cigarette smoking, advanced age, and systemic inflammation.2 The prevalence of COPD among individuals with HF ranges from 20% to 32% of cases, and 10% of hospitalized HF patients also suffer COPD.3 From the opposite side, HF is prevalent in more than 20% of patients with COPD.4,5 Moreover, the risk ratio of developing HF among COPD patients is 4.5 times higher than that of control individuals without the disease, after adjusting for age and other cardiovascular risk factors.6 The hospital HF adjusted prevalence is three times greater among patients discharged with COPD when compared with patients without this disease.2 Nevertheless, we have to take into account that most studies used inappropriate definitions for COPD and HF. They did not consider GOLD’s criteria or reproducible echocardiographic parameters.7 In a recent study, the authors assessed the prevalence and prognostic implications of the coexistence of COPD and HF using objective measurements.7 The prevalence of airway obstruction among chronic HF patients was 37.3% and the prevalence of ventricular dysfunction among COPD patients was 17%.8 Also, the presence of ventricular dysfunction in patients with COPD tended to increase the risk of mortality during follow-up, however, the presence of airway obstruction in patients with chronic HF does not seem to influence survival.8

The high prevalence of HF in COPD patients is not surprising. We have to bear in mind that these patients have a higher risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality which is independent from other factors, such as tobacco use.9,10 The forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1) values appear to be as good a predictor of cardiovascular mortality as cholesterol values.11

For all these reasons, it is really important to recognize the coexistence of both processes early. In this article, we review the physiopathology, clinical aspects, diagnosis, and treatment of patients with both conditions, ie, COPD and HF. We therefore performed a bibliographic search in PubMed using the medical subject heading terms “COPD” and “heart failure.”

Pathophysiology

The relationship between COPD and cardiovascular events is not completely clear. Like cardiovascular diseases, there is evidence that suggests that stable COPD is associated with low grade systemic inflammation.12 The risk of underlying ischemic heart disease is greater in patients with moderate or severe airflow obstruction and high circulating C-reactive protein (CRP), suggesting a certain influence of this inflammatory marker on cardiac risk. CRP was also found to be correlated with vascular structure and function in COPD patients, although not consistently.13–16 In addition, several markers of cardiovascular risk are associated with airflow limitation.13,17–19

Moreover, it has also been shown that the association of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and COPD, which has been called overlap syndrome, is associated with vascular endothelial dysfunction, elevated inflammatory mediators, and accelerated atherosclerosis. All of these factors are associated with reduced survival. In addition, OSA is considered to lead to insulin resistance, hypertension, and cardiovascular diseases through increased sympathetic activity, inflammation, and oxidative stress. In epidemiologic studies and clinical cohorts, OSA has also been associated with an increased risk of death, mainly because of cardiovascular causes. Indeed, it has been suggested that the number of cardiovascular deaths in patients with untreated overlap syndrome is higher when compared with overlap treated patients, and also higher than those with COPD only.20

Inflammation is itself implicated in the pathogenesis of HF. Incidence of this condition was higher among Framingham subjects with elevated CRP and cytokine levels, independently of the status of established risk factors.21 A hypothesis to explain the high prevalence of left ventricular systolic dysfunction in COPD patients is that systemic inflammation would accelerate coronary atherosclerosis progression, leading to the development of ischemic heart disease. The high incidence of motor alterations in the left ventricular wall and left ventricular dysfunction that we observe in COPD patients could also explain the relationship between these chronic progressive diseases (Figure 1).22 On the other hand, pulmonary hypertension is common in severe COPD and can lead to right HF. In turn, right HF is associated with left H F.23,24

Figure 1.

Figure 1

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Lung inflammation in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease may contribute to the appearance of cardiovascular events.

Abbreviations: COPD, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; CRP, C-reactive protein; GM-CSF, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor; IL-6, interleukin-6; TNF-α, tumor necrosis factor-α.

Skeletal muscle alterations in patients with COPD and HF include a decrease in muscle mass, size, and diameter. On the fibrillar level, atrophy of type 1 oxidative fibers occurs, and there is a relative increase in type 2a and 2b glycolytic fibers as a result of decreased oxidative enzyme activity and increased glycolytic activity, respectively.25

Different techniques have demonstrated the presence of a reduced high energy phosphate concentration at rest, which is more pronounced during exercise. In addition, a faster pH decline and slower rephosphorylation after exercise are seen in patients with both COPD and HF.26

Loss of muscle mass and skeletal muscle atrophy have more serious clinical and therapeutic implications in patients with COPD and HF. Muscular atrophy contributes to muscle fatigue during exercise, which causes these patients to interrupt their exercise in spite of not exhausting their cardiac and respiratory reserves.27 As a result, the maximum oxygen consumption is directly related to skeletal muscle mass in both processes.28 The therapeutic interventions that improve pulmonary and left ventricular function in patients with COPD and HF, respectively, do not reverse the muscular atrophy process, and do not, therefore, relieve functional intolerance. The mechanisms involved in muscular atrophy in both diseases are unknown, although they seem to be related to muscular disease, systemic inflammation, and an increase in oxidative stress, which contributes to reducing protein synthesis and accelerating protein degradation.29 High circulatory values of proinflammatory cytokines have been found in patients with COPD and HF. These include 8-isoprostane, which is also found in high concentrations in the pericardial fluid of HF patients.30 In summary, COPD patients have an increased risk of developing HF, since both diseases share the same pathogenic mechanism.

Diagnosis

The symptoms and physical signs of COPD and HF may coexist.31 Fatigue and exertional dyspnea are frequent symptoms that are common in both conditions, and they can result in marked activity intolerance.32 However, acute onset dyspnea or orthopnea, nocturnal cough, paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea, ease of fatigue, and reduced exercise tolerance in the absence of infectious exacerbation of COPD gives rise to a diagnosis of HF. The presence of jugular venous distension, ankle edema, and hepatomegaly in COPD should be oriented toward the existence of right ventricular failure.33

The electrocardiogram presents a high negative predictive value for the diagnosis of systolic ventricular function when it is normal. However, it is not a specific technique for diagnosing HF when abnormalities are present, as these abnormalities are frequent in patients with COPD and H F.34

Chest radiography is not sensitive for detecting the coexistence of COPD and chronic HF, as the cardiothoracic ratio may remain normal as the heart can be long and narrow in a hyperinflated chest, and pulmonary edema can be masked by pulmonary vascular remodeling and radiolucent lung fields.2,33 However, it may be useful for detecting other diseases, other than COPD or HF.31

In patients with COPD, plasma levels of natriuretic peptides are a fast and sensitive biomarker for diagnosing HF. Both B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and N-terminal fragment of B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) are produced from a prohormone, proBNP, which is secreted by the myocytes for an increase in atrial and ventricular filling pressure.35 A single BNP cutoff point for excluding or detecting HF is 100 pg/mL. Thus, HF is unlikely when BNP levels are below this value. BNP levels ranging from 100 pg/mL to 500 pg/mL in COPD patients may be due to cor pulmonale (right ventricular stretch), moderate left ventricular failure, or both. Finally, although not specifically tested in patients with a history of COPD, BNP > 500 pg/mL is suggested by several authors to indicate acute HF in COPD patients.1,10,12,33 Recently, Macchia et al demonstrated that a BNP cutoff point of 160 pg/mL in COPD patients increases, more than 10 times, the probability of finding a ventricular dysfunction with echocardiography.8 For NT-proBNP, a value < 300 pg/mL excludes HF, and a value > 450 pg/mL (for patients < 50 years) or a value > 900 pg/mL (for those ≥50 years) identifies HF in patients with previous COPD presenting with acute dyspnea.12 For excluding HF, the sensitivity was 94%, while for detecting H F, the specificity was 84%. In COPD patients with previous history of HF, the values of sensitivity and specificity were 97% and 47% respectively, and in those without previous COPD these values were 90% and 90% respectively.36 Regardless, it should be noted that 95%–100% of patients are correctly diagnosed when natriuretic peptides are added to clinical judgment.18,37 The recent National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), guidelines recommend a BNP level > 400 pg/mL or a NT-proBNP level > 2000 pg/mL for HF diagnosis.38 If doubts exist, cardiac imaging techniques could be applied.

Using an echocardiogram in COPD patients can detect left ventricular dysfunction (diastolic or systolic) which is associated with the presence of cardiovascular disease in a high percentage of cases.39 In addition, the echocardiographic evaluation of the right ventricle, which determines the systolic pulmonary artery and interventricular septal pressures, is essential to assess the presence of cor pulmonale in COPD patients and to establish their short-term prognosis.40 NICE guidelines recommend an echocardiogram be performed within two weeks in patients with BNP values > 400 pg/mL or NT-proBNP > 2000 pg/mL, or within 6 weeks in those patients with BNP values between 100 pg/mL and 400 pg/mL or NT-proBNP between 400 pg/mL and 2000 pg/mL.38 If an echocardiogram is normal, HF would be excluded. On the other hand, HF diagnosis should be kept in mind in COPD patients with left ventricular ejection fraction > 40% and abnormal left ventricular mass, or enlarged left atrium by echocardiography.1

Although echocardiography is the reference test for diagnosing HF, it could be limiting in patients with obesity or those with COPD who have a poor echocardiographic window due to pulmonary hyperinflation.41 In these cases, evaluating the right ventricle by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can be more objective. Apart from providing accurate and reproducible measurements of left ventricular volumes and left ventricular ejection fraction that are not affected by lung hyperinflation, this technique is also valuable in the evaluation of right ventricular volume and function. However, this complementary test has some disadvantages such as the acquisition time, limited availability, and higher costs than echocardiography, which limits its usefulness in clinical practice. Thus, the MRI should be reserved to evaluate left ventricular function in HF patients with technically limited echocardiogram images.2

In the resting pulmonary function tests we can see that the obstructed airflow, the destruction of pulmonary tissue in emphysema, and the respiratory muscle weakness in COPD patients, provoke an obstructive type respiratory defect. In turn, HF is accompanied by the development of a restrictive disorder, which is partly due to heart enlargement and pulmonary venous congestion that occurs in this disease. Thus, patients with COPD and HF have combined obstruction and restriction in pulmonary function tests.42 However, lung function can improve after treatment of HF. Therefore, in patients with this condition, it is recommended to repeat the spirometry after treatment to make a final diagnosis of COPD.32

During exercise, the dynamic hyperinflation caused by the increased residual function capacity, tachypnea caused by COPD, and the increased dead space and CO2 consumption resulting from HF, produce an abnormal ventilation/perfusion relationship.25 In addition, a drop in carbon monoxide diffusing capacity occurs, caused by COPD and HF, limiting the exertion capacity.

Arterial blood gas detects alterations in the gas exchange that occur in COPD and HF patients. During exertion, COPD causes a decrease in O2 arterial pressure (PaO2) and an increase in CO2 arterial pressure (PaCO2), while the HF worsens the gas exchange. This favors hypoxemia and increases PaCO2.43

Patients with COPD and HF have significantly impaired cardiopulmonary exercise testing responses. These tests reveal a significantly poorer response in subjects with both diseases by several variables, including peak oxygen consumption, minute ventilation/carbon dioxide production slope, and heart rate recovery at 1 minute. This finding may impact the clinical interpretation of cardiopulmonary exercise testing data in patients with COPD and HF.44

In summary, plasma levels of natriuretic peptides can be useful in patients with COPD. These parameters perform better for excluding, rather than for detecting, HF. In case of doubt, cardiac imaging techniques should be used. To investigate simultaneous COPD in HF patients, several pulmonary function tests should be performed.

Therapy

There are few prospective studies and randomized clinical trials regarding combined treatment for patients with COPD and HF. Most of these results come from retrospective studies, clinical trial subgroup analyses, or meta-analyses with outcomes other than evaluation of treatment for both conditions (combined therapy). We have to consider the fact that the treatment for COPD may have an influence on the clinical course of HF and vice versa.42 Now, we offer a brief review of the therapeutic aspects of both.

Pharmacological treatment for HF that influences COPD patient prognosis

In COPD patients, HF should be treated according to usual HF guidelines as there is no evidence that HF should be treated differently in the presence of this respiratory disease.7 Although β-blocker therapy improves symptoms and survival among patients with chronic HF, it is frequently withheld in patients with COPD due to concerns of the diminution of the β2-agonist bronchodilator effect and the worsening of bronchospasm.45 Although a Cochrane meta-analysis concluded that β1-selective β blockade was safe, only 35% of patients with chronic HF and COPD receive β2-blocker therapy.45 Recently, the NICE and the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) guidelines stated that COPD is not a contraindication for the use of β-blockers.38,46 Cardioselectivity is a priority, metoprolol, bisoprolol, and nebivolo are the best candidates.47 A study has shown that treatment with bisoprolol in patients with COPD and HF decreased FEV1 but without deleterious effects on symptoms and quality of life, and that a selective β1-blocker is preferable to a nonselective β-blocker in these patients.34 In a study48 of patients with moderate to severe airflow obstruction and HF, treatment with bisoprolol and carvedilol was well tolerated and beneficial effects on lung function were seen. However, bisoprolol was superior to carvediol on respiratory parameters.48 The benefits of selective β1-blocker treatment in HF clearly outweigh any potential risk associated with treatment in COPD patients, even in those with severe obstruction. Low dose initially and gradual up-titration is recommended. Mild deterioration in pulmonary function or presence of mild respiratory symptoms should not prompt discontinuation.46 Physicians may be even more reluctant to continue β-blocker therapy during an acute exacerbation of COPD when a patient’s respiratory status is most tenuous, although it has been shown that among patients with HF, continuing β1-selective β-blockers during hospitalization for COPD appears to be safe.45

Treatment with statins, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, and angiotensin-receptor blockers (ARBs) can reduce the morbidity and mortality of COPD patients.49,50 Some retrospective studies, such as the one by Mancini et al49 have shown a reduced risk of hospitalization in COPD patients treated with statins who also received treatment with ACE inhibitors and/or ARBs. In fact, in patients with absolute contraindications for β-blockers, the association of ACE inhibitors and ARBs could be a treatment option for increasing survival, as shown in a meta-analysis that has evaluated this topic.49 Additionally, Mortensen et al have also reported that the use of statins and ACE inhibitors prior to hospital admission is associated with a decreased mortality in subjects hospitalized for COPD exacerbation.50 Recently, in a prospective study by Bartziokas et al, the use of statins was associated with a low risk of COPD exacerbation and more severe COPD.51 Nonetheless, results from these studies should be cautiously interpreted. We think that new controlled studies to establish their real usefulness are needed. In the meantime, the use of these medications should only be recommended when COPD patients have an associated condition with clear indication.52

The use of diuretics is another important aspect that must be evaluated in these patients, given that high doses of loop diuretics can produce metabolic alkalosis, with the presence of hypoventilation as a compensatory mechanism, which in turn could worsen hypercapnia.53,54 In addition, although large prospective studies are not available, the use of high doses of diuretics in HF patients is associated with a high risk of kidney dysfunction, morbidity, and mortality.55

A recent study56 that assessed the pharmacologic treatment of patients with COPD and HF showed that only 22% of patients with both conditions were prescribed β-blockers, as opposed to 81% of those without COPD. This contrasted markedly with the prescription of ACE inhibitors and ARBs, where no significant difference was noted between these two groups. Most COPD patients were prescribed aldosterone antagonists while a few were prescribed loop diuretics.56

Pharmacological treatment of COPD in patients with HF

COPD should be treated according to clinical guidelines in patients with HF as there is no direct evidence that this respiratory disease should be treated differently in the presence of HF.7 This statement is based on findings from large long-term studies in patients with HF and comorbid COPD.57–59

Inhaled β2-agonists are part of the mainstay of the COPD pharmacological treatment. However, they can induce adverse cardiac effects in COPD patients with pre-existing cardiovascular disease, especially in those with coexistent HF. An observational study found an increased risk of death and hospital admission among patients with HF treated with inhaled β-agonists,60 possibly indicating a need for close follow-up of patients with severe HF who are on this treatment for COPD. Oral β2-agonists should be avoided, and both the dose and frequency of nebulized therapy should be minimized. Patients with HF and concomitant COPD who require a regular long-acting inhaled bronchodilator, should start treatment with a long-acting antimuscarinic rather than long-acting β2-agonists.47 However, in a recent study where patients with COPD and HF were assessed, β2-agonists were the most frequent therapy for COPD, followed by inhaled corticosteroids and anti-muscarinic drugs.56

Furthermore, the use of corticosteroids can increase the risk of hydrosaline retention in HF patients. There are studies that show that COPD patients who received high doses of corticosteroids (doses of prednisone above 20 mg/day) had a higher risk of presenting with an episode of decompensated HF than those who received these drugs in lower doses.61 Inhaled corticosteroids have a lower risk for side effects than oral administration, they can be administered if indicated according to clinical guidelines.

Finally, methylxanthines are in decreasing use, do not seem to be a good alternative treatment for patients with COPD and HF. They carry an increased risk for arrhythmias.42

Noninvasive ventilation in patients with COPD and HF

Noninvasive ventilation (NIV), added to conventional therapy, improves the outcome of patients with acute respiratory failure due to hypercapnic exacerbation of COPD or heart failure in situations of acute pulmonary edema. NIV improves gas exchange and symptoms in patients with COPD, reducing the need for endotracheal intubation, hospital mortality, and hospital stay when compared with conventional oxygen therapy. NIV may also avoid reintubation and may decrease the length of invasive mechanical ventilation. In acute cardiogenic pulmonary edema, NIV accelerates the remission of symptoms and the normalization of blood gas parameters, reduces the need for endotracheal intubation, and is associated with a trend toward lower mortality. The ventilation modality used in acute pulmonary edema does not affect patient prognosis.62

In patients with cor pulmonale secondary to a chronic pulmonary disease like COPD, the use of Biphasic Positive Airway Pressure (BiPAP), can improve the right ventricular function and decrease plasma levels of natriuretic peptides.63 Furthermore, recent studies have concluded that administering this treatment method can play an important role for HF patients with associated muscle fatigue and hypercapnia.64,65

In summary, the combination of COPD and HF presents many therapeutic challenges. The beneficial effects of cardioselective β1-blockers should not be denied in stable patients who have HF and coexistent COPD. Statins, ACE inhibitors, and ARBs may reduce the morbidity and mortality of COPD patients. Moreover, caution is advised with use of inhaled β2-agonists for the treatment of COPD in patients with HF. NIV, when added to conventional therapy, improves the outcome of patients with acute respiratory failure due to hypercapnic exacerbation of COPD or heart failure in situations of acute pulmonary edema. The establishment of a combined and integrated approach to managing these comorbidities would seem an appropriate strategy.

Conclusion

COPD is commonly associated with HF in clinical practice. Both conditions incur significant morbidity and mortality. Clinicians attending these patients should perform an integrated approach to objectively identify both diseases at an early stage, and to optimize control of respiratory and cardiovascular conditions. This will result in a reduction in the morbidity and mortality of these patients. Additional studies providing new data on the pathogenesis and management of patients with COPD and HF are needed, with the purpose of trying to improve quality of life as well as survival of these patients.

Footnotes

Disclosure

The authors declare no conflicts of interest in this work.

References

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