Acute deterioration beyond the normal day-to-day variation in a COPD patient's physiological state.
Upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) caused by a virus, lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) resulting from bacterial infection, and non-infective sources such as air pollution, chronic heart failure, pulmonary embolism, and myocardial infarction (MI) all contribute to the onset of acute exacerbation of COPD.
Treatment for acute exacerbations of COPD includes oxygen, oral steroids, antibiotics, nebulizers, and non-invasive ventilation. If an ABG test reveals only hypoxia, the patient may be treated with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP); whereas if the test reveals both hypoxia and hypercapnia, the patient may be treated with BIPAP.
Approximately 10-20% of COPD patients admitted for acute exacerbation will die within 3 months.