J Korean Med Assoc.  2018 Sep;61(9):552-556. 10.5124/jkma.2018.61.9.552.

Treatment and prevention of acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

• Lim SY
• Kim HJ
• Ra SW
• Lee JH
• Kim TH

• KMID: 2420366
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5124/jkma.2018.61.9.552

Abstract

Acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is defined as an acute aggravation of the patient's respiratory symptoms, particularly cough, sputum production, and dyspnea, which requires a change of medication. COPD exacerbation leads to an accelerated decline in lung function, poorer health status, and is the main cause of hospital admission and death in patients with COPD. A majority of COPD exacerbations are triggered by respiratory infection. The Management of acute exacerbation of COPD consists of systemic corticosteroids, antibiotics, and inhaled short-acting bronchodilators. Oxygen supplementation is an essential component of treatment to improve hypoxemia. Noninvasive or invasive ventilator support is necessary for COPD patients with severe exacerbation, particularly associated with hypercapnic respiratory failure. The Korean clinical practice guideline for COPD was revised in 2018 by the members of the Korean Academy of Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases as well as participating members of the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service. The purpose of this review is to provide an overview of the treatment and prevention strategies recommended in the 2018 Korean Academy of Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases for patient with acute exacerbation of COPD.

Keyword

Pulmonary disease, chronic obstructive; Acute exacerbation; Therapeutics; Prevention & control

MeSH Terms

Adrenal Cortex Hormones
Anoxia
Anti-Bacterial Agents
Bronchodilator Agents
Cough
Dyspnea
Humans
Insurance, Health
Lung
Oxygen
Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive*
Respiratory Insufficiency
Sputum
Tuberculosis
Ventilators, Mechanical
Adrenal Cortex Hormones
Anti-Bacterial Agents
Bronchodilator Agents
Oxygen

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