Mechanisms of Vascular Damage in Patients With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

A randomised controlled trial will be performed to evaluate the effects of lung volume reduction surgery (LVRS) in patients with COPD on systemic inflammation, oxidative stress, endothelial function, arterial stiffness and blood pressure. We hypothesize that LVRS will lead to a reduction of systemic inflammation, oxidative stress, arterial stiffness and blood pressure and to improved endothelial function. For this purpose 30 patients with severe/very severe COPD (GOLD III-IV) and pulmonary emphysema who are to undergo LVRS will be randomised to one of two groups: group 1 receiving immediate LVRS and group 2 receiving LVRS after a delay of 3 months. Measures of systemic inflammation, oxidative stress, endothelial function, arterial stiffness and blood pressure will be measured at baseline and 3 months after surgery and no surgery, respectively (group 2 receiving surgery only after a delay of 3 months will serve as control group) to investigate the effects of LVRS on the described outcomes.