[Self-Management of Anti-Obstructive Therapy for Severe COPD with a Subcutaneous Terbutaline Pump]

Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) may be difficult to stabilize with standard inhaled and oral medication. In those cases, outpatient care may even be impossible. Alternative therapeutic strategies, like subcutaneous self-application of terbutaline, could help to further improve health status.

A 42-year old patient with severe COPD was admitted to the hospital. Despite maximal anti-obstructive therapy he required additional intravenous relief therapy and discharge was not possible. We treated this patient with a subcutaneous terbutaline pump for continuous and demand medication. We could show a significant decrease in additional intravenous medication, and the patient could leave the hospital.

The use of terbutaline applied by a subcutaneous pump in addition to standard therapy may be helpful in severely ill patients suffering from COPD. This measure increased quality of life and shortened hospital stay.