In hypercapnic COPD exacerbations, the sudden decrease in
ventilation causes an acute respiratory acidosis or deteriorates a
pre-existing chronic respiratory acidosis. Due to the high
prevalence of comorbidities [5] and the associated multidrug
therapies in these patients, mixed acid-base and hydro-electrolyte
disorders are becoming increasingly common, particularly in the
critically ill and elderly populations.
This study had the following aims: to evaluate mixed acid-base,
hydro-electrolyte and lactate disorders in patients with hypercapnic
COPD exacerbation; to determine the relationship among
these disorders, a poor response to pharmacological treatment and
the requirement for noninvasive ventilation (NIV); and to analyze
the link between these disorders and the duration of NIV in the
treatment of hypercapnic respiratory failure.