Complications
The complications of COPD include:
- respiratory failure:
- a late complication
- defined by a PaO2 of less than 8 kPa (60mmHg) or a PaCO2 of greater than 7 kPa (55mmHg)
- pulmonary artery hypertension:
- caused by chronic alveolar hypoxia and hypercapnia lead to constriction of the pulmonary arterioles
- caused by chronic alveolar hypoxia and hypercapnia lead to constriction of the pulmonary arterioles
- cor pulmonale:
- right heart failure
- fluid retention
- chronic hypoxia
- polycythaemia
- pneumothorax
- weight loss
- carcinoma of the bronchus
Reference
- Gunen H, Hacievliyagil SS, Kosar F, et al. Factors affecting survival of hospitalised patients with COPD. Eur Respir J. 2005 Aug;26(2):234-41.
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