[Mechanical ventilation and weaning of patients with obstructive bronchopneumopathy]

Mechanical ventilation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients with acute respiratory failure poses certain problems specific to the pathophysiology of this condition. These difficulties arise during the mechanical ventilation phase as well as during weaning. A thorough knowledge of the mechanisms involved and of the means of minimizing complications allows the vast majority of these patients to be weaned successfully. This article reviews some of these problems and possible solutions.