Invasive mechanical ventilation and weaning at COPD exacerbation

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) affects large number of patients and is associated with significant morbidity, disability, and mortality (1,2). COPD is complicated by frequent and recurrent acute exacerbations, which are known to be associated with enormous health care expenditures and high morbidity (1-3). Exacerbations of COPD results in over 110,000 deaths and over 500,000 hospitalizations per year, with over $18 billion spent in direct costs annually (4,5). In addition to the financial burden required to care for these patients, other “costs,” including days missed, need to be considered. In this review, we will address the indications and use of invasive mechanical ventilation and weaning modalities in patients with COPD exacerbation and acute respiratory failure.