Long Term Nitric Oxide Bioavailability on Vascular Health in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Status:
Completed
Trial end date:
2018-07-30
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) affects up to 14 million people and is among the
top five leading causes of death worldwide. Although COPD is a disease of the lungs, recent
evidence indicates that COPD is associated with multiple systemic consequences including
vascular endothelial dysfunction. Recently, it has been suggested that more patients with
COPD die from cardiovascular disease and coronary heart disease than of direct pulmonary
complications. Examination of the mechanisms that contribute to a reduction nitric oxide (NO)
bioavailability resulting in vascular endothelial dysfunction in patients with COPD are
important as endothelial dysfunction has been indicated to be an independent predictor of
future atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and events.