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[Acetazolamide in hypercapnic chronic obstructive lung disease--a renaissance?]
Schweizerische Medizinische Wochenschrift
|January 22, 1983
Summary
Acetazolamide, a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor, improved blood oxygen and carbon dioxide levels in patients with hypoxemic and hypercapnic COPD and metabolic alkalosis. Long-term treatment maintained these benefits without significant side effects.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonary Medicine
- Pharmacology
Background:
- The efficacy of acetazolamide in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is debated.
- Acetazolamide has shown benefits in correcting metabolic alkalosis in various conditions, including hypoxemic sleep apnea and acute mountain sickness.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the short-term and long-term effects of acetazolamide in COPD patients with hypoxemia, hypercapnia, and metabolic alkalosis.
Main Methods:
- A randomized, double-blind, crossover study involving 14 COPD patients.
- Patients received acetazolamide (2 X 250 mg) or placebo over 12 days, with a crossover design.
- A subset of patients continued with long-term acetazolamide therapy for 4.5 months.
Main Results:
- Short-term acetazolamide significantly increased partial pressure of oxygen (paO2) compared to placebo.
- Long-term acetazolamide therapy maintained paO2 levels in treated patients.
- Untreated patients experienced a significant decrease in paO2 during the study period.
Conclusions:
- Acetazolamide demonstrates short-term and long-term efficacy in improving gas exchange in hypoxemic and hypercapnic COPD patients with metabolic alkalosis.
- No significant side effects or severe metabolic acidosis were observed during treatment.