Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbation resident survival guide

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Abdurahman Khalil, M.D. [2]

Definition

• An exacerbation of COPD is an acute event characterized by a worsening of the patient’s respiratory symptoms that is beyond normal day-to-day variations and leads to a change in medication.

• The diagnosis of an exacerbation relies exclusively on the clinical presentation of the patient complaining of an acute change of symptoms (baseline dyspnea, cough, and/or sputum production) that is beyond normal day-to-day variation.

Causes

Life Threatening Causes

Include conditions which may result death or permanent disability within 24 hours if left untreated, and some of them may mimic and/or aggravate exacerbations:

• Pneumonia
• PE
• Pneumothorax
• Pleural effusion
• CHF
• Cardiac arrhythmias

Common Causes

• Respiratory tract infections (~½)
• Unknown (~⅓)
• Air pollutants

Differential Diagnosis

• Asthma
• CHF
• PE
• ACS
• Pneumothorax
• Pneumonia
• Lobar atelectasis

Management

COPD Exacerbation ❑ Cough ↑ ❑ Dyspnea ↑ ❑ Sputum ↑

Oxygen Supplement ❑ Pulse oximetry (maintain SaO2 ≥88—92%) ❑ Arterial blood gas (if acute or acute-on-chronic respiratory failure is suspected)† Indications for ICU Admission ❑ Hemodynamic instability ❑ Changes in mental status (confusion, lethargy, coma) ❑ Severe dyspnea that responds inadequately to initial emergency therapy ❑ Worsening hypoxemia (PaO2 <40 mm Hg) and/or respiratory acidosis (pH <7.25) Indications for Hospitalization ❑ Marked increase in intensity of symptoms (eg, sudden development of resting dyspnea) ❑ Severe underlying COPD (GOLD 3—4 categories) ❑ Onset of new physical signs (eg, cyanosis, peripheral edema) ❑ Failure of an exacerbation to respond to initial medical management ❑ Presence of serious comorbidities (eg, heart failure or newly occurring arrhythmias) ❑ Frequent exacerbations (≥2 events per year) ❑ Older age (>65 years) ❑ Insufficient home support Assessment of Severity of Exacerbation ❑ Chest radiograph (exclude alternative diagnoses) ❑ ECG (check coexisting cardiac problems) ❑ Whole-blood count (identify polycythemia, anemia, or leukocytosis) ❑ Electrolytes and glucose (identify electrolyte disturbances or hyperglycemia)

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^†Pa_O2 <60 mm Hg with or without Pa_CO2 >50 mm Hg in ambient air

Do's

• Monitor fluid balance,nutrition and patient condition closely.
• Consider subcutaneous heparin or low molecular weight heparin.
• Treat associated conditions if exist(e.g., heart failure,arrhythmias).

Don'ts

• Spirometry is not recommended during an exacerbation because it can be difficult to perform and measurements are not accurate enough.