Management of COPD: a physiologic approach

The main goal of therapy for COPD is to improve the patient's quality of life. A rational approach to therapy requires improvement in pulmonary gas exchange by identification of the type or types of COPD present and tailoring of the therapeutic regimen to the severity and mechanism of obstruction. Other measures can be used to improve tissue oxygenation, including oxygen supplementation, maintenance of cardiac output and tissue perfusion, and reduction of metabolic demands. Complications of COPD are as important as the disease itself in terms of disability and require aggressive therapy.