title: Acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
abstract: This article discusses the definition, pathophysiology, cause, clinical presentation, laboratory work-up, and treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbation. The focus is on the presentation of acute exacerbations of COPD in the emergency department and the available evidence for testing and treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine, Mayo Medical School, Mayo Clinic 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA.
authors.forename: Kenneth H
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Palm
authors.forename: Wyatt W
authors.initials: WW
authors.lastname: Decker
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000628:Aminophylline / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019411:Clinical Laboratory Techniques; D004632:Emergency Medical Services / Q000379:methods*; D005100:Expectorants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006371:Helium / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D010100:Oxygen / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010102:Oxygen Inhalation Therapy / Q000379:methods; D010808:Physical Examination / Q000379:methods; D011175:Positive-Pressure Respiration / Q000379:methods; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents; D005100:Expectorants; D006371:Helium; D000628:Aminophylline; C038949:heliox; D010100:Oxygen