Mechanisms of atherothrombosis in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Authors: Filippo Luca Fimognari, Simone Scarlata, Maria Elisabetta Conte, Raffaele Antonelli Incalzi

Abstract

Patients affected by chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) have an increased risk of atherothrombotic acute events, independent of smoking and other cardiovascular risk factors. As a consequence, myocardial ischemia is a relevant cause of death in these patients. We reviewed studies concerning the potential mechanisms of atherothrombosis in COPD. Bronchial inflammation spreads to the systemic circulation and is known to play a key role in plaque formation and rupture. In fact, C-reactive protein blood levels increase in COPD and provide independent prognostic information. Systemic inflammation is the first cause of the hypercoagulable state commonly observed in COPD. Furthermore, hypoxia is supposed to activate platelets, thus accounting for the increased urinary excretion of platelet-derived thromboxane in COPD. The potential metabolic risk in COPD is still debated, in that recent studies do not support an association between COPD and diabetes mellitus. Finally, oxidative stress contributes to the pathogenesis of COPD and may promote oxidation of low-density-lipoproteins with foam cells formation. Retrospective observations suggest that inhaled corticosteroids may reduce atherothrombotic mortality by attenuating systemic inflammation, but this benefit needs confirmation in ongoing randomized controlled trials. Physicians approaching COPD patients should always be aware of the systemic vascular implications of this disease.

Introduction

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a leading cause of death worldwide (Calverley and Walker 2003). In addition to the healthcare costs, COPD imposes a significant burden in terms of disability and impaired quality of life. Unlike many other leading causes of death and disability, COPD prevalence will raise in the majority of countries as smoking frequency increases and the population ages (Halbert et al 2006). The World Health Organization predicts that by 2020 COPD will be the 5th most prevalent disease worldwide (presently the 12th) and the 3th most common cause of death (presently the 6th). Not respiratory outnumber respiratory causes of death, and most of them are cardiovascular causes (Hansell et al 2003). This is the rationale for reviewing the main mechanisms of the COPD-related atherothrombotic risk.

We performed a series of MEDLINE database searches for English language literature published from 1970 to April 2007 by combining the medical subject heading (MeSH) terms chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, chronic bronchitis and pulmonary emphysema with the following MeSH terms atherosclerosis, thrombosis, platelet activation, platelet aggregation, thromboxane, inflammation, inflammation mediators, C-reactive protein, blood coagulation, blood coagulation mediators, blood coagulation factor inhibitors, corticosteroids, catecholamines, sympathetic nervous system, oxidative stress, isoprostanes, F2 isoprostanes. We also supplemented references by cross-checking bibliographies of retrieved articles to identify additional studies.

COPD and atherothrombotic the epidemiological evidence

Reduced forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) was associated with increased pulse wave velocity, a surrogate measurement for central arterial stiffness, endothelial dysfunction and atherosclerosis (Zureik et al 2001).

Although not generally recognized, a low FEV1 has been shown to be as powerful a predictor of cardiac mortality as total serum cholesterol, irrespective of the effect of smoking and other possible confounders (Hole et al 1996). In a recent meta-analysis (Sin et al 2005b), the relative risk of cardiovascular death in the group with the lowest FEV1 compared with that with the highest FEV1 was 3.36 (1.54–7.34); the corresponding figure for mortality due to myocardial ischemia was 5.65 (2.26–14.13). As a consequence, coronary artery disease is one of the leading causes of death in COPD patients (Hansell et al 2003).

FEV1/forced vital capacity (FEV1/FVC) ratio, a more sensitive parameter of obstructive disease than FEV1, was also found to be independently related to vascular events (Engstrom et al 2001).

The overall atherothrombotic impact of COPD is further proved by the increased risk of ischemic stroke in COPD patients. In a 15-year follow up, the relative risk of fatal stroke was 1.1 (1.03–1.2) for every 10% decrease of FEV1 (Truelsen et al 2001).

Pro-atherothrombotic mechanisms in COPD

The mechanisms responsible for the association between COPD and atherothrombosis are still largely unknown. However, at least four factors seem to be pathogenetically chronic systemic inflammation, hypercoagulable state, platelet activation and oxidative stress (Figure 1).

Systemic inflammation (Table 1)

In the context of the complex and multifactorial pathogenesis of atherothrombosis, low grade systemic inflammation is believed to be a crucial mechanism in plaque formation and rupture (Pasceri et al 2000). This concept is strongly supported by experiments showing that some inflammatory markers, such as C-reactive protein (CRP) and fibrinogen, are implicated in plaque formation. CPR upregulates the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and tissue factor by monocytes, increases the uptake of low-density lipoproteins (LDL) by macrophages with foam cells formation and directly induces expression of adhesion molecules by human endothelial cells (Pasceri et al 2000).

Alveolar macrophages, bronchial epithelial cells and lymphocytes, which are implicated in bronchial and alveolar inflammation, produce interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-1β. These cytokines, besides inducing local pro-inflammatory changes, “spill-over” into the systemic circulation and stimulate hepatocytes to synthesize CRP and fibrinogen. Accordingly, systemic blood concentrations of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, IL 6, IL 8, CRP and fibrinogen are higher in COPD than in control subjects (Gan et al 2004). Interestingly, at variance from the response observed in healthy subjects and diabetic patients, moderate-intensity exercise abnormally increases plasma TNF-α levels in COPD patients (Rabinovich et al 2003; Zoppini et al 2006). Circulating TNF-α levels have been found to increase in malnourished COPD patients, likely because systemic hypoxia stimulates TNF-α synthesis (Takabatake et al 2000). TNF-α can cause the expression of tissue factor on monocytes and, possibly, endothelium, thereby initiating the coagulation cascade (Esmon 2000).

CRP serum levels have also been found to increase for increasing severity of bronchial obstruction, ie, in COPD, the level of “systemic” inflammation (CRP) strictly parallels that of “local” bronchial inflammation and obstruction (FEV1) (Sin and Man 2003). In addition, COPD patients with high CRP serum levels have increased risk of either atherothrombotic events (fatal and nonfatal coronary artery disease and stroke) or all-cause mortality, after adjusting for age, sex, smoking and lung function (Man et al 2006). These recent data support the role of the systemic inflammation in the development of atherothrombotic disorders in COPD. In addition, they suggest that CRP measurements should be considered in prognostic models for COPD patients.

Pulmonary hypertension is highly prevalent also in nonhypoxemic COPD and predicts a poor prognosis (Weitzenblum et al 1981). In a recent study, CRP and hypoxia were the only significant correlates of systolic pulmonary arterial pressure, suggesting that systemic inflammation may be involved in the pathogenesis of COPD-related pulmonary hypertension (Joppa et al 2006).

Hypercoagulable state (Table 2)

Some case-control studies have clearly established that, independent of current smoking, plasma levels of fibrinogen and other markers of coagulation are significantly higher in stable COPD patients than in healthy subjects (Alessandri et al 1994; Xie and Wang 1998; Wedzicha et al 2000; Ashitani et al 2002). The increased procoagulant activity in COPD may primarily result from inflammation. In fact, inflammation can trigger coagulation by promoting tissue-factor gene expression in endothelial cells (Esmon 2000; Libby 2001). Hypoxia also could either reduce endothelial thrombomodulin expression or activate factor X (Ogawa et al 1990). Coagulation, in turn, amplifies inflammation and both are strongly implicated in the pathogenesis of atherothrombosis (Libby and Simon 2001). That a pro-coagulant status may promote atherothrombosis in COPD is suggested by the direct relationship between serum fibrinogen and the incidence of cardiovascular events in the general population (Danesh et al 1998). Interestingly, central pulmonary lesions, indicative of in situ thrombosis and atherosclerosis, are common in stable COPD patients even free from pulmonary hypertension, and their extent is not strictly related to the severity of bronchial obstruction (Russo et al 1999). This finding testifies to a procoagulant and proatherosclerotic status which can be recognized early in the course of COPD.

Importantly, fibrinogen levels rise further during COPD exacerbation (Wedzicha et al 2000). The acute release of this and other prothrombotic factors may thus account for the increased rate of myocardial infarctions immediately following low-respiratory tract infections (Meier et al 1998).

Platelet activation (Table 3)

The role of platelet in atherothrombosis is clearly supported by the efficacy of aspirin and other antiplatelet drugs in preventing vascular events in the general population (Patrono et al 2004). Earlier studies had showed increased platelet aggregability in hypoxaemic COPD patients (Cordova et al 1985; Wedzicha et al 1991). More recently, platelet aggregation has been studied in vivo by measuring 11-dehydro-thromboxane B2 (11-d-TxB2), the urinary metabolites of TxA2 (Patrono et al 1995). This eicosanoid is generated by activated platelets through the enzyme cyclooxygenase-1, which is specifically inhibited by aspirin. Once released, TxA2 amplifies platelet aggregation and stimulates smooth muscle constriction and proliferation (Rolin et al 2006). TxA2 is also a strong constrictor of bronchial smooth muscle cells and has been involved in the pathogenesis of asthma (Tamaoki et al 2000). The measurement of urinary 11-d-TxA2 directly reflects biosynthesis and is therefore a measure of platelet function (Patrono et al 1995). High excretory values identify patients at increased risk of myocardial infarction and cardiovascular death (Eikelboom et al 2002). Importantly, urinary 11-d-TxB2 values are significantly greater in patients with stable COPD than in control subjects, irrespective of smoking status, inversely correlated with arterial oxygen tension and are significantly lowered by short – term oxygen supplementation (Davì et al 1997). These data suggest a link between hypoxia and platelet activation likely because hypoxia induces metabolic changes on the platelet membrane, leading to increased activation of cyclooxygenase-1 with thromboxane formation (Ponicke et al 1987). In addition, platelet stimulation may result from clotting activation with thrombin generation, that, in turn, is well known to enhance platelet thromboxane biosynthesis (Patrono 1990).

Oxidative stress (Table 4)

The development of COPD is associated with oxidative stress and reduced antioxidant properties (Boots et al 2003). Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in exhaled breath condensate is a marker of oxidative stress in the lungs and have been found to be elevated in COPD patients irrespective of smoking status (Dekhuijzen et al 1996; Nowak et al 1999), as well as in smokers without the disease (Nowak et al 2001). Oxidative stress can promote the peroxidation of polyunsaturated fatty acids. Thiobarbituric acid-reacting substances represent a measure of such a lipid peroxidation and are increased in exhaled breath condensate of patients with COPD (Nowak et al 1999).

Pulmonary oxidative stress “spreads out” to the circulation and becomes a systemic alteration (Boots et al 2003). F2-isoprostanes are stable products of peroxidation of arachidonic acid (Delanty et al 1996). The assay of F2-isoprostanes in the urine is a reliable measure of in vivo, systemic oxidative stress and, more importantly, it is a marker of LDL oxidation (Devaraj et al 2001), that, in turn, is a key event in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis (Berliner and Heinecke 1996; Patrono et al 2004). Independently of current smoking, the excretion of F2-isoprostane increases significantly in COPD and peaks during exacerbations (Praticò et al 1998). This should suggest a LDL oxidative susceptibility in COPD, an abnormality potentially contributing to plaque formation.

Lipid status and metabolic risk in COPD (Table 5)

The increased vascular risk in COPD cannot be attributed to an atherogenic lipid pattern. In COPD patients, lipid levels are comparable with those measured in healthy subjects, with values of lipoprotein(a) and of APO B-100 being even significantly lower (Basili et al 1999).

The relation between diabetes mellitus, one of the leading atherothrombotic factors, and COPD is unclear. There are data supporting the notion that the lung is a target organ in diabetes, but abnormalities mostly include alveolar microangiopathy with impaired diffusion capacity (Hsia and Raskin 2005) and a restrictive ventilatory dysfunction (Lawlor et al 2004). Results of prospective observations in COPD patients are confounding. In a study, COPD was a risk factor for the onset of type 2 diabetes mellitus, but spirometric diagnostic data were not reported (Rana et al 2004). In another study, an obstructive pattern was not associated with the development of diabetes, that, conversely, was significantly increased in subjects with a restrictive ventilatory pattern (Ford and Mannino 2004). Accordingly, metabolic syndrome and insulin-resistance were very frequent in nondiabetic subjects with restrictive dysfunction, but not in COPD patients (Fimognari et al 2007).

Neurohumoral activation

There are convincing data demonstrating a COPD-related neurohumoral activation, including sympathetic overactivity, increased release of catecholamines and decreased vagal tone (Andreas et al 2005). This alteration is evident also after interruption of medications for COPD (Scalvini et al 1999) and is supposed to contribute to a generic cardiovascular and systemic risk in COPD (arrhythmias, cachexia, muscle wasting with fatigue) (Andreas et al 2005). The specific impact of neurohumoral activation on the atherothrombotic status of COPD, however, is unclear.

Animal models showed that sympathetic activation can promote systemic inflammation (Woiciechowsky et al 1998; Borovikova et al 2000; Li et al 2004). Theoretically, the neurohumoral activation occurring in COPD may thus favour atherothrombosis by stimulating systemic and vascular inflammation, but this potential causative association needs to be proven in patients with COPD.

Another mechanism by which the sympathetic activation may promote atherothrombosis in COPD is platelet activation. It is well known that the catecholamines released during acute stress may directly activate platelets (Hjemdahl et al 1991, 1994; Larsson et al 1994), but there are no data to demonstrate that this may also take place during chronic neurohumoral activation, like that complicating COPD (Fimognari et al 1996). In conclusion, the notion that the neurohumoral activation contributes to the COPD-related platelet hyperfunction is still highly speculative.

Potential therapies (Table 6)

The role of systemic inflammation in precipitating vascular events in COPD is strongly supported by accumulating data showing the potential benefits of inhaled corticosteroids. These drugs, commonly used to attenuate lung inflammation, have been demonstrated to reduce plasma CRP levels in stable COPD, suggesting a “cooling” effect also on systemic inflammation (Sin et al 2004; Pinto-Plata et al 2006). In a recent meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs), the mortality of COPD patients on inhaled corticosteroids was 27% lower than that reported in the placebo group (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.73; 95% confidence interval, 0.55–0.96) (Sin et al 2005a). Of note, this is the same mortality reduction obtained by a 3-year therapy with simvastatin in the Scandinavian Simvastatin Survival Study (Scandinavian Simvastatin Survival Study Group 1994). Because the trials included in the meta-analysis were not planned to test the effect of inhaled steroids on survival, the result needs to be confirmed in RCTs specifically designed for this aim. However, the improved survival may be due to a reduction in cardiovascular deaths, in turn determined by the effect of inhaled corticosteroids on vascular plaque inflammation. This intriguing hypothesis is suggested by some important observational studies. Huiart and collegues (2005) found a 18% nonsignificant reduction of myocardial infarctions amongst users of inhaled corticosteroids, but in a subgroup of patients taking 50–200 μg/day of steroids the risk reduction increased to 32% (p < 0.05). A recent study, while confirming improved survival in corticosteroid users (Macie et al 2006), found that this benefit largely derived from a 38% reduction in cardiovascular mortality, while the reduction in respiratory deaths was nonsignificant. Recently, the EUROSCOP (European Respiratory Society Study on Chronic Pulmonary Disease) trial reported a 40% reduction in the rate of coronary artery disease events in patients taking inhaled corticosteroids compared to the placebo group (Lofdahl et al 2005).

Very recently, the effect on mortality of inhaled corticosteroids has been questioned by the results of an important RCT, the TORCH (Toward a Revolution in COPD Health) study (Calverley et al 2007). The mortality rate at 3 years in the fluticasone group (16%) was comparable to that observed in the placebo group (15.2%). In patients treated with the combination therapy of fluticasone plus the long-acting β2-agonist salmeterol (mortality 12.6%) there was an interesting 17.5% reduction in the risk of death compared with placebo, with a nonsignificant difference (p = 0.052). The impact of these drugs on cardiovascular mortality only was not reported. It is possible that the combination therapy does improve survival in COPD patients and that this study was underpowered to detect this effect. In addition, because β2-agonists activate glucocorticoid receptors in the lung (Eickelberg et al 1999), the association with β2-agonists may be crucial to highlight any effect of inhaled corticosteroids on mortality.

The only treatment improving survival in COPD is long-term oxygen therapy in hypoxemic patients (Afessa et al 2002). Oxygen therapy may prevent the hypoxia-induced platelet activation and blood clotting, and part of its clinical benefit may come from a reduction of atherothrombotic fatal events by these effects. Furthermore, oxygen supplementation prevents exercise-induced oxidative stress in normoxemic, muscle-wasted patients with COPD (van Helvoort et al 2006). However, short-term oxygen supplementation has also been reported to promote oxidative stress and airway inflammation (Carpagnano et al 2004).

Conclusion

COPD is now recognized as a systemic inflammatory disease that may adversely affect the arterial district, predisposing patients to an increased risk of atherosclerotic plaque formation and rupture. Systemic inflammation plays a leading role in this process, but other mechanisms, such as platelet activation, coagulation and oxidative stress, can promote atherosclerosis in COPD. Research is needed to further clarify mechanisms of atherothrombosis, as well as to identify therapeutic and preventive strategies. Current evidence is consistent with an optimal care of bronchial inflammation likely translating in some reduction of atherothrombotic risk. However, the very early development of the pro-atherothrombotic status in the course of COPD suggests that researchers should think of COPD as of a systemic disease from its onset. Accordingly, patients should receive advice about nonrespiratory effects of COPD. This communication strategy might improve the awareness of the disease status and of the need of halting its progression by the most important preventive smoking cessation.

Eventually, the evidence of systemic effects of COPD should induce pneumologists to have a multidisciplinary and multidimensional approach to the disease by involving various specialists. The relatively poor progress in the treatment of COPD in the second half of the last century, when compared with therapy of other chronic diseases, likely reflects the purely respiratory-centered, then scotomic, view of the disease.