Vol. 2, Issue 9, Part K (2016)

Objective:To assess whether the type and the extent of bronchiectasis have any correlation with pulmonary arterial hypertension and right heart dysfunction and in turn to correlate these findings with the impairment of lung function and pulmonary gas exchange.

Material & Methods

Study Design: Prospective cross-sectional study.

Study Period: Feb. 2016 - July. 2016.

Population: Patients with clinical features and CXR findings consistent with Bronchiectasis are subjected to HRCT Thorax, for confirmation of disease and to assess extent of involvement.

Sample size: study consisted a total of 30 patients.

Sampling method: Simple Random sampling method.

Ethical consideration: Institutional Ethical committee permission was taken prior to the commencement of the study.

Study tools and Data collection procedure: Written informed consent has been obtained from all the patients before enrolment in the study. Patients with clinical features and CXR findings consistent with Bronchiectasis are subjected to HRCT Thorax, for confirmation of disease and to assess extent of involvement, along with all routine analysis (Hb%, TC, DC, ESR, RBS, Serum creatinine, blood urea). Arterial blood gas analysis is done at room air and the patients are subjected to Spirometry and 2D Echocardiography. Patients are screened for sputum AFB, gram staining and culture sensitivity.

Results: The age range of the study population is 14 to 75 years. Mean age is 41.5 years (SD is +/- 15.25 yrs). 20 out of 30 (66.6%) patients have presented in the most economically productive age group (21-50 years). More number of cases are noted in the age group 31-40 (9/30 patients i.e., 30%).

Conclusion: It is concluded that ventilatory defects, abnormal gas exchanges, development of Pulmonary Hypertension and right ventricular dysfunction are more common in cystic than in cylindrical type of bronchiectasis.