Exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

An exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is an acute, sustained worsening of respiratory symptoms—principally marked by increased dyspnea, cough, and sputum volume or purulence—in individuals with preexisting chronic obstructive pulmonary disease Affecting the lower respiratory tract and pulmonary vasculature, this clinical state is typically triggered by viral or bacterial respiratory tract infections or environmental pollutants Pathophysiologically, it is driven by acute amplif...

Pathophysiologically, it is driven by acute amplification of airway and systemic inflammation, worsening airflow limitation, mucous hypersecretion, dynamic pulmonary hyperinflation, and ventilation-perfusion mismatch that can culminate in acute hypoxemic or hypercapnic respiratory failure