Abstract
Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are prone to acute exacerbations that may cause a substantial decline in functional status, hospitalization, and even death. COPD exacerbations represent a major burden on health-care resources in most of the developed world (1). Viral and bacterial agents probably cause most exacerbations, and a substantial proportion can be prevented by regular immunizations (2-4). Standard treatment for established exacerbations has long included antibiotics and bronchodilators, along with oxygen and assisted ventilation in the most severely ill.
Original language | English (US) |
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Title of host publication | Acute Exacerbations of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease |
Publisher | CRC Press |
Pages | 357-378 |
Number of pages | 22 |
ISBN (Electronic) | 9780203913000 |
ISBN (Print) | 9780824741280 |
State | Published - Jan 1 2003 |
Bibliographical note
Publisher Copyright:© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.