COPD: SAD, Hyperinflation and Cardiovascular Risk

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a complex and heterogeneous condition in which small airways disease (SAD) and lung hyperinflation play a central, yet often under‑recognised, role. Beyond driving symptoms and functional limitation, these mechanisms may also contribute to increased cardiopulmonary risk and poorer long‑term outcomes.¹^–³

Consultant Respiratory Physician Dr Dinesh Shrikrishna, discusses the downstream impact of hyperinflation on cardiovascular health, highlighting the links between hyperinflation, exacerbations and cardiopulmonary risk. Practical clinical examples are included to illustrate how cardiopulmonary risk may be addressed to help inform optimal management of patients with COPD.

Designed to support informed, patient‑centred decision‑making, this webinar aims to deepen healthcare professionals’ understanding of COPD beyond airflow limitation. Through a review of current evidence and clinical insights, the session will support healthcare professionals to consider how a more holistic understanding of respiratory–cardiovascular interplay may help inform patient assessment and management.

References

1. Crisafulli E, Pisi R, Aiello M, et al. Role of small airways in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Respiration. 2017;93(1):32–41.

2. Usmani OS, Singh D, Spinola M, Bizzi A, Barnes PJ. The small airways and their role in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma. Mayo Clinic Proceedings. 2021;96(9):2448–2463.

3. O’Donnell D.E, Laveneziana P. Physiology and consequences of lung hyperinflation in COPD. European Respiratory Review. 2007; 15(100): 61-67.

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• Dr Dinesh Shrikrishna

  Consultant Respiratory Physician and Airways Lead

  Read biography
  Dr Dinesh Shrikrishna

  Consultant Respiratory Physician and Airways Lead Musgrove Park Hospital, Somerset NHS Foundation Trust

  Role and Location
  Dr Dinesh Shrikrishna BSc (Hons), FRCP, PhD is Consultant Respiratory Physician and the Airways Lead at Musgrove Park Hospital, Somerset NHS Foundation Trust.

  Education
  Dr Shrikrishna qualified from Guy’s, King’s and St Thomas’ Medical School and trained in Respiratory and General medicine in the South-West of England Deanery. Dr Shrikrishna completed a PhD at the Royal Brompton Hospital and Imperial College London in COPD and has received two awards from the National Heart and Lung Institute for his respiratory clinical research.

  Research Interests
  Dr Shrikrishna’s work has been published in the European Respiratory Journal, CHEST and Thorax, and he recently published an article in the European Heart Journal highlighting cardiopulmonary risk in patients with COPD. Dr Shrikrishna has chaired a session on the latest insights in respiratory care at the European Respiratory Society Congress and has spoken at national and international respiratory conferences. He is a peer reviewer for journals including BMJ Open Respiratory Research and Thorax, and is Musgrove Academy Unit Lead for final year medicine undergraduates at Bristol Medical School.

  Memberships
  Dr Shrikrishna is a member of the South West Severe Asthma Network, British Thoracic Society and European Respiratory Society. Dr Shrikrishna has previously been a member of the Standards of Care Committee and the Air Travel working group for the British Thoracic Society.