Zelt JT, et al. - In this present study, a hypothesis was tested, that systemic vascular dysfunction would be present even in patients who are currently considered at “low-risk” for negative cardiovascular outcomes, i.e., those with largely preserved FEV₁, few exacerbations and only mild burden of respiratory symptoms (GOLD spirometric grade 1, clinical group A). Researchers noticed the presence of systemic vascular dysfunction in COPD patients with earlier stages of the disease, specifically among those with greater emphysema burden and low transfer factor for carbon monoxide (TL_CO). A possibility of higher risk of negative events was recognized for patients showing those structural and functional abnormalities, regardless FEV₁. This group of patients should be followed closely for early detection of cardiovascular disease.