Review

Treating and preventing acute exacerbations of COPD

Umur S. Hatipoglu, MD and Loutfi S. Aboussouan, MD
Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine April 2016, 83 (4) 289-300; DOI: https://doi.org/10.3949/ccjm.83a.14188

ABSTRACT

Acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)—characterized by shortness of breath, increased sputum production, increased purulence, or a combination of these signs—are costly and can have major impacts on the patient’s health. Corticosteroids, antibiotics, and bronchodilators are the cornerstones of prevention and therapy, with mucolytics, oxygen supplementation, and ventilatory support also advisable for some patients. Treatment should be evidence-based and tailored to the patient’s history and present needs.

Footnotes

  • Dr. Hatipoglu is the recipient of an investigator-initiated research protocol grant from Novartis and has received honoraria for speaking engagements from Forest Laboratories.

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  1. Umur S. Hatipoglu, MD⇑
  1. Quality Improvement Officer, Respiratory Institute, Cleveland Clinic
  1. ADDRESS:
    Umur S. Hatipoglu, MD, Respiratory Institute, A90, Cleveland Clinic, 9500 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44195; hatipou{at}ccf.org
  1. Loutfi S. Aboussouan, MD
  1. Respiratory Institute, Cleveland Clinic
  2. Associate Professor, Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine of Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH

ABSTRACT

Acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)—characterized by shortness of breath, increased sputum production, increased purulence, or a combination of these signs—are costly and can have major impacts on the patient’s health. Corticosteroids, antibiotics, and bronchodilators are the cornerstones of prevention and therapy, with mucolytics, oxygen supplementation, and ventilatory support also advisable for some patients. Treatment should be evidence-based and tailored to the patient’s history and present needs.

Footnotes

  • Dr. Hatipoglu is the recipient of an investigator-initiated research protocol grant from Novartis and has received honoraria for speaking engagements from Forest Laboratories.

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