AECOPD
Medical abbreviation · Respiratory
| Stands for | Acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease |
|---|---|
| Categories | Medical |
AECOPD stands for Acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, a respiratory abbreviation.
Flare-up of COPD with worsening breathlessness, cough and sputum beyond normal day-to-day variation, usually triggered by viral or bacterial infection or air pollution. Severe exacerbations need hospital care and are a major driver of COPD deaths and costs.
Example: AECOPD with pH 7.29, PaCO2 68: BiPAP started, prednisone 40 mg x5 days, doxycycline for purulent sputum.
Usage notes
The Anthonisen criteria (1987) of increased breathlessness, sputum volume and sputum purulence help decide when antibiotics are useful. The REDUCE trial (2013) showed a 5-day course of prednisone works as well as 14 days. Noninvasive ventilation for hypercapnic acidosis reduces intubation and death. Each exacerbation accelerates lung function decline, so prevention is a treatment goal.
Related abbreviations
More respiratory abbreviations
- A-a gradient – Alveolar-arterial oxygen gradient
- AATD – Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency
- ABPA – Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis
- AC – Assist-control ventilation
- AERD – Aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease
- AHI – Apnea-hypopnea index
- AHRF – Acute hypoxemic respiratory failure
- APAP – Automatic positive airway pressure
- APRV – Airway pressure release ventilation
- ARDS – Acute respiratory distress syndrome
- ARF – Acute respiratory failure
- ATS – American Thoracic Society
See all 109 respiratory abbreviations →
This entry is for general education and is not medical advice. Abbreviation use varies between institutions; always confirm in context.