Management of advanced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Successful Management of patients with advanced COPD includes not only a comprehensive therapeutic strategy tailored to the individual patient but also active patient participation. Figures 1 and 2 outline the medical and surgical treatment options for patients with advanced COPD. Patients who are actively smoking should be strongly advised to quit smoking. Bronchodilators and corticosteroids can improve symptoms and may prevent a further decline in lung function in selected COPD patients. The judicious use of antibiotics during an acute exacerbation may be required. O2 therapy improves survival and neuropsychiatric function in COPD patients with hypoxemia. Maintenance of proper nutrition is of utmost importance. A structured outpatient pulmonary rehabilitation is helpful in improving functional capacity and sense of breathlessness. In COPD patients who fail medical therapy, noninvasive positive pressure ventilation and surgical therapy may be considered.