Introduction: Supraventricular and ventricular arrhythmias as well as conduction disturbances of varying severity are frequently observed in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The type of arrhythmia that occurs in patients with COPD is affected by their clinical state. The risk is further elevated during periods of acute exacerbation however, even patients with stable COPD have a fairly high rate of rhythm disturbances. COPD shares a lot of risk factors (e.g., age, smoking) with a number of disease processes and related treatment that are also associated with cardiac arrhythmias. Patients who develop supraventricular arrythmias had longer ICU and hospital stay and increased mortality rates.
Objective: The aim of this study was to prospectively assess the incidence of supraventricular arrhythmias during acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, to identify the associated factors, and to evaluate its impact on hemodynamics and outcome of patients.

Methods: A prospective cohort study was conducted that enrolled 100 mechanically ventilated patients with acute exacerbation of COPD (AECOPD). The patients were categorized into two groups based on the development of supraventricular arrythmias. The first group (SVT Group) who developed supraventricular tachycardia or supraventricular arrythmias other than sinus tachycardia. The second group (SR Group) who maintained sinus rhythm. The outcome included: need for mechanical ventilation (MV), duration of ICU stays, need for vasopressors and mortality.