Doxapram in hypercapnic chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with respiratory failure

An 81-yr-old man with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and hypercapnia presented to the emergency department (ED) obtunded and in acute respiratory distress. He had instructed his family to refuse intubation but agreed to all other measures to sustain his life. Treatment measures include...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The Journal of emergency medicine 1997-07, Vol.15 (4), p.513-515
Main Author: KERR, H. D
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Biological and medical sciences
Central Nervous System Stimulants - therapeutic use
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma
Doxapram - therapeutic use
Emergency Service, Hospital
Humans
Hypercapnia - complications
Lung Diseases, Obstructive - complications
Male
Medical sciences
Pneumology
Respiratory Insufficiency - drug therapy
Respiratory Insufficiency - etiology
Resuscitation Orders
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Summary:An 81-yr-old man with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and hypercapnia presented to the emergency department (ED) obtunded and in acute respiratory distress. He had instructed his family to refuse intubation but agreed to all other measures to sustain his life. Treatment measures included the administration of intravenous doxapram, which was followed promptly by a marked improvement in his respiratory function and mentation. Respiratory stimulants may be useful as a temporizing measure in this difficult ED therapeutic problem.
ISSN:0736-4679
2352-5029
DOI:10.1016/S0736-4679(97)00082-6