Airway bacterial colonization: The missing link between COPD and cardiovascular events
Respiratory Medicine, 05/17/2012
Fuschillo S et al. – Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is associated with an increased burden of atherosclerotic disease. Systemic inflammation and oxidative stress play key roles in this association. COPD patients with airway bacterial colonization, as compared to patients without airway colonization, generally present more frequent exacerbations and higher levels of both airway and systemic inflammation. This COPD subgroup should be considered at particularly increased risk of developing cardiovascular complications and receive more attention concerning diagnosis, treatment, prevention and research.
