Heart failure and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. A combination not to be underestimated.

Abstract

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and heart failure (HF) frequently coexist and interact through complex and bidirectional hemodynamic mechanisms that amplify symptoms' burden and complicate clinical management. The present review explores the impact of COPD across the HF spectrum, particularly in HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), where comorbidities, such as COPD, exert a dominant role in disease expression. COPD-induced hyperinflation reduces cardiac preload and increases right ventricular afterload, while HF-related congestion impairs pulmonary function and gas exchange, illustrating a tight cardiorespiratory coupling. Diagnostic challenges stem from overlapping symptoms and the limited specificity of biomarkers, such as natriuretic peptides, especially in HFpEF. Cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) emerges as a valuable tool for distinguishing between cardiac and pulmonary limitations and guiding individualized treatment strategies. From a therapeutic standpoint, β1-selective blockers are not only safe in COPD patients but are pivotal in those with HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), where they have been demonstrated to improve survival and reduce both HF and COPD exacerbations. Concerns regarding bronchodilator safety in HF remain largely theoretical, with current evidence supporting their continued use when clinically indicated. Ultimately, optimal care for patients with coexisting COPD and HF requires a phenotype-specific approach, incorporating insights from pathophysiology, diagnostic innovation, and evidence-based pharmacotherapy to improve outcomes in this challenging patient population.