Effects of inhaled tiotropium on left ventricular diastolic function in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients after pulmonary resection.

Purpose: The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effects of inhaled tiotropium on pulmonary function and left ventricular diastolic function in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients ≥ 1 year after pulmonary resection for lung cancer.

Methods: This prospective single-arm analysis involved 21 chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients who underwent pulmonary resection for lung cancer at least one year earlier. Blood pressures, heart rate, spirometry, transthoracic echocardiography including tissue Doppler imaging, and quality of life were evaluated prior to and after 3 months of inhaled tiotropium treatment. B-type natriuretic peptide, white blood cell counts, and C-reactive protein levels before and after inhaled tiotropium treatment were also examined.

Results: There were no significant differences between before and after treatment in forced vital capacity and left ventricular ejection fraction. Forced expiratory volume in 1 second and early transmitral velocity/tissue Doppler mitral annular early diastolic velocity values improved from 1.60 ± 0.5 L and 8.97 ± 1.6, respectively, before treatment, to 1.84 ± 0.5 L and 7.59 ± 1.4, respectively, 3 months after treatment (P <0.001).

Conclusion: Treatment with inhaled tiotropium may be effective in improving not only pulmonary function but also left ventricular diastolic function of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in the chronic phase after pulmonary resection.