High prevalence of peripheral arterial disease in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Background: In view of their overlapping risk factors and the chronic inflammatory processes that underlie onset and progression of both chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and arteriosclerotic disorders, the occurrence of peripheral arterial disease (PAD) in COPD is conceivable but undefined. Methods: We screened 108 patients with COPD for PAD. Standardized angiological testing comprehended determination of ankle brachial index (ABI), measurement of pulse wave index (PWI) and central pulse wave velocity (cPWV) as well as duplex sonography. Results: Study population was late middle-aged (64.8 ± 10.4year…