ELECTROCARDIOGRAPHIC ABNORMALITIES IN PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Background: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, often complicated by cardiovascular abnormalities due to pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Electrocardiography (ECG) is a non-invasive tool to assess cardiac changes in COPD patients. Objective: To evaluate the prevalence and types of ECG abnormalities in patients with COPD. Methods: A crosssectional observational study was conducted on 25 COPD patients admitted to a Teritiary care Hospital. COPD diagnosis was conrmed by spirometry (FEV1/FVC ≤ 0.7 and FEV1 < 80% predicted, post-bronchodilator). ECGs were analysed for abnormalities including right axis deviation, P-pulmonale, right bundle branch block (RBBB), and other parameters indicative of right ventricular strain. Results:The most common ECG abnormality was right axis deviation (60%), followed by P-pulmonale (40%) and RBBB (40%). Other ndings included low S-wave amplitude in V5/V6 (<5 mm, 28%), reduced R/S ratio in V5/V6 (<1, 24%), increased R-wave amplitude in V1 (>7 mm, 8%), elevated R/S ratio in V1 (≥1, 32%), and multifocal atrial tachycardia (8%). These ndings suggest signicant right ventricular strain in COPD patients. Conclusion: ECG is a valuable screening tool for detecting cardiac abnormalities in COPD patients, with right axis deviation, P-pulmonale, and RBBB being the most prevalent. Early ECG screening can aid in risk stratication and improve prognostic assessment in COPD management.