title: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: the clinical management of an acute exacerbation.
abstract: Exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease impose a considerable burden of morbidity, mortality, and health care cost. Management guidelines outlining best practice, based largely on consensus expert opinion, were produced by a number of organisations during the last decade. Current interest in the field is high. This has resulted in the publication of many further studies which have extended our understanding of the pathology involved and provided, for the first time, an evidence base for many of the therapeutic options. In this review we aim to bring the non-specialist reader up to date with current management principles and the evidence underlying such interventions.
authors.affiliation: Academic Unit of Respiratory Medicine, Dominion House, St Bartholomew's Hospital, London EC1A 7BE, UK.
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Hurst
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Wedzicha
mesh_terms: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D010100:Oxygen / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010808:Physical Examination; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D012121:Respiration, Artificial / Q000379:methods; D019141:Respiratory System Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014970:Xanthines / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents; D019141:Respiratory System Agents; D014970:Xanthines; C008514:methylxanthine; D010100:Oxygen