Abstract
Aim.
To study the clinical and functional features and course of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) depending on the presence or absence of atrial fibrillation (AF), establish the impact of AF on hemodynamic parameters and lung function in these patients, and evaluate the efficacy of an angiotensin receptor-neprilysin inhibitor (ARNI) in COPD patients with AF.
Materials and methods.
A total of 60 patients with COPD were examined (85.0 % male; mean age 67.2 ± 4.1 years). The patients were divided into two groups: Group 1 (n = 28) comprised individuals with concomitant permanent AF receiving ARNI (sacubitril/valsartan at a starting dose of 100 mg/day) as part of quadruple therapy; the Group 2 (n = 32) consisted of patients with preserved sinus rhythm. All enrolled subjects underwent comprehensive clinical, laboratory, and instrumental examination.
Results.
At hospitalization, patients in Group 1 exhibited a more severe course of COPD: lower forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1; p
Conclusion.
The use of ARNI in COPD patients with concomitant AF contributes to a significant improvement in clinical status, accompanied by a reduction in dyspnea and increased exercise tolerance. In comorbid COPD and AF patients, inclusion of ARNI in standard medical therapy is advisable to improve hemodynamic parameters and reduce the risk of complications.