Current symptom-based risk scores for stable coronary artery disease evaluation are not applicable in COPD patients

Abstract

Background Cardiovascular diseases are arguably the most important comorbidity in patients with COPD. Despite an increased prevalence of coronary artery disease (CAD) in COPD patients, there are no dedicated diagnostic recommendations. Objectives We investigated whether COPD patients receive adequate primary evaluation of CAD despite overlapping symptoms. Methods In total, 302 patients with COPD who underwent invasive coronary angiography (ICA) were retrospectively matched (for age, body mass index and cardiovascular risk factors) with 302 patients without functional lung diseases. Quality and onset of symptoms prior to ICA were documented, and individual patients’ pretest probabilities according to European Society of Cardiology (ESC) guidelines were calculated. Endpoints were delay of ICA referral after symptom onset and clinical outcome, defined as subsequent revascularisation. Results Mean delay between symptom onset and ICA was 19.9±22.0 months in COPD patients compared to 8.3±12.7 months in the control group (p70% stenosis) was 35.3%; the revascularisation rate increased with higher pretest probability for the control group but decreased for patients with COPD GOLD 1–4. Conclusion Patients with COPD are insufficiently evaluated for CAD due to overlapping symptoms. Current CAD risk scores for stable chest pain appear inappropriate for patients with COPD.