Prevalence and Affecting Factors of Arrhythmias in Stable Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease at a Tertiary Hospital in Indonesia

Introduction: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) represents an increasing global health burden. Among its significant comorbidities, cardiovascular complications, particularly arrhythmias, are of significant concern. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and arrhythmias share common risk factors, including advanced age and smoking. This study investigated the prevalence and contributing factors of arrhythmias in stable COPD patients.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among stable COPD patients attending the Asthma-COPD Clinic at Persahabatan National Respiratory Referral Hospital, Jakarta, Indonesia, from January to April 2018. The inclusion criteria encompassed a clinical diagnosis of COPD and voluntary participation with written informed consent. Each participant underwent laboratory evaluation, electrocardiography (ECG), blood pressure measurement, and a structured interview. Patients were excluded if they had experienced acute COPD exacerbations during the assessment, had a history of other chronic lung diseases, suffered a recent myocardial infarction, had structural heart disease, were diagnosed with fibrillation, or declined to participate.

Results: The prevalence of arrhythmias in stable COPD patients was 24.1%. The types included sinus bradycardia (2.41%), premature atrial contractions/PACs (3.61%), premature ventricular contractions/PVCs (8.43%), and sinus tachycardia (9.64%). The majority of arrhythmic patients were males, with an average age of 68 years old. These patients also had a history of heart disease, exhibited severe COPD symptoms, and demonstrated significant airflow obstruction (average pCO₂ of 36 mmHg).

Conclusion: Decreased chloride levels were associated with an increased incidence of arrhythmias. However, no significant associations were observed with airflow limitation, sex, age, bronchodilator use, or arterial blood gas parameters.