Risk factors for prolonged ventilation in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease presenting with acute respiratory failure

Abstract

Patients with COPD presenting to the Emergency Unit with acute hypercapnic respiratory failure often require invasive mechanical ventilation and subsequent admission to the intensive care unit (ICU). These patients are at an increased risk of prolonged and complicated ventilation and often experience weaning difficulties. In addition, the impact of a previous episode of pulmonary tuberculosis that might have resulted in structural lung disease on the duration of mechanical ventilation in such patients has not previously been evaluated. Methods: All patients with COPD admitted to the Respiratory ICU at Tygerberg academic hospital from the 01st January 2004 until 31st December 2007 requiring intubation and invasive mechanical ventilation for acute hypercapnic respiratory failure were included in the study.