Risk of Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events in Elderly Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

doi:10.3969/j.issn.1009-0126.2025.09.030

Abstract：Objective To analyze the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) in elderly patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Methods A total of 150 elderly COPD patients (COPD group) admitted to our hospital from January 2018 to December 2019 were prospectively collected, and 150 elderly healthy individuals (control group) were also collected during the same period. Follow-up for 5 years was conducted to observe the incidence and time of MACE in both groups, including acute myocardial infarction, heart failure, malignant arrhythmia, cardiac arrest, stroke, and unstable angina. Cox regression analysis was used to identify risk factors for MACE in elderly COPD patients. Results There was no statistically significant difference in carotid intima-media thickness between the COPD group and the control group at admission [(1.24±0.10) mm vs (1.23±0.09) mm, P=0.413], but after follow-up, the thickness was significantly higher in the COPD group compared to the control group [(1.38±0.13) mm vs (1.29±0.13) mm, P=0.000]. After follow-up, the left ventricular ejection fraction of the COPD group was significantly lower than that of the control group [(55.44±5.48)% vs (57.46±4.92)%, P=0.001]. After 5 years of follow-up, 24 cases of MACE occurred in the COPD group, while 5 cases occurred in the control group. Kaplan-Meier survival function showed that the incidence of MACE in the COPD group was significantly higher than that in the control group (P=0.000). Cox regression analysis showed that admission COPD, age, and left ventricular ejection fraction were factors influencing MACE (OR=5.567, 95% CI: 2.086-14.853, P=0.001; OR=1.400, 95% CI: 1.218-1.610, P=0.000; OR=0.863, 95% CI: 0.771-0.966, P=0.010). Conclusion The risk of MACE in elderly COPD patients is significantly increased, and early monitoring and treatment of cardiovascular diseases are needed.