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Exacerbation of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

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Arrange for intubation for patients with a b
  • pH < 7.20
  • pH 7.20 to 7. 25 on 2 occasions 1 hour apart 

Why?

  • One in five patients fail non-invasive ventilation (22% 95% CI: 12% to 33%). a
  • A low pH increases the risk. a b

 

Expiry date: July 2003
Levels of Evidence used in grading these guides

Author   CM   Ball
Reviewer   N R   Anthonisen
CAT Writers   B   Phillips , CJ   Wotton , CM   Ball