Impaired pulmonary function is a risk predictor for sudden cardiac death in men. (August 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kurl, Sudhir; Jae, Sae Young; Kauhanen, Jussi; Ronkainen, Kimmo; Laukkanen, Jari A.
• Is Part Of: Annals of medicine. Volume 47:Number 5(2015)
• Page Start: 381
• Page End: 385
• Publication Date: 2015-08
• Subjects: Medicine -- Periodicals; 610
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0785-3890

Abstract

<abstract> <title>Abstract</title> <p> <italic>Objectives.</italic> Little is known about the association of reduced pulmonary function and the risk of sudden cardiac death (SCD). Our aim was to examine the relation of forced expiratory volume (FEV₁), forced vital capacity (FVC), and the ratio of FEV₁ to FVC with SCD in a population-based sample of men.</p> <p> <italic>Methods.</italic> This study was based on 1250 men 42–60 years of age without chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, and lung cancer. During the 20-year follow-up, 95 SCDs occurred. FEV₁, FVC, and ratio of FEV₁ to FVC were used as lung function tests.</p> <p> <italic>Results.</italic> As a continuous variable, each 10% increase in the percentage predicted FEV₁ was associated with 18% (adjusted risk 0.82, 95% CI 0.73–0.93, <italic>P</italic> &lt; 0.002) reduced risk for SCD. Subjects with most reduced (lowest quintile) FEV₁ had a 3.5-fold increased risk for SCD (95% CI 1.42–8.41, <italic>P</italic> = 0.006), after adjustment for conventional risk factors. Similar results were observed with FVC. The results remained statistically significant among non-smokers and smokers respectively.</p> <p> <italic>Conclusion.</italic> Our study shows that reduced lung function is a robust predictor of SCD in middle-aged men. Lung function test may be useful in risk stratification for SCD in general population.</p> </abstract>