Tissue doppler imaging and echocardiography in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a case-control study

Abstract Background Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a widespread, preventable, and manageable condition marked by persistent respiratory symptoms and airflow obstruction. This is caused by structural changes in the airways and/or alveoli, usually resulting from long-term exposure to harmful particles or gases. Aim We aimed to explore the value of tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) and echocardiography in detecting systolic dysfunction of the right ventricle (RV). This is particularly significant due to the prognostic importance of identifying disease severity in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Methods This cross sectional, observational, case-control study was conducted at the Chest Disease Department of Qena University Hospital. The study population consisted of 50 healthy controls and 50 patients with stable COPD, all aged above 40 years. The duration of the study ranged from 6 to 12 months. Results COPD patients exhibited significantly impaired right and left ventricular function, as well as increased pulmonary artery pressure, compared to healthy individuals. However, no significant correlation was observed between pulmonary function test results and tissue Doppler echocardiographic indices of ventricular dysfunction. Conclusion Tissue Doppler Imaging (TDI) offers the advantage of assessing the long-axis function of the right ventricle (RV), which is often difficult to evaluate using conventional echocardiography. Detecting RV systolic dysfunction in the early stages of COPD is crucial, as it influences diagnostic decisions, management, and follow-up strategies, while also helping to predict patient prognosis.