ConclusionsTreating NLH with IBV endobronchial valves leads to clinical improvement in the majority of patients and the treatment has an acceptable safety. (Source: The Clinical Respiratory Journal)

Although primarily a lung disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is now recognized to have extrapulmonary effects on distal organs, the so-called systemic effects and comorbidities of COPD. Skeletal muscle dysfunction, nutritional abnormalities including weight loss, cardiovascular complications, metabolic complications, and osteoporosis, among others, are all well-recognized associations in COPD. These extrapulmonary effects add to the burden of mortality and morbidity in COPD and therefore should be actively looked for, assessed, and treated. (Source: Clinics in Chest Medicine)

Exacerbations are important events for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and key outcomes in COPD studies and trials. Exacerbations have an impact on health status and contribute to disease progression, and exacerbation prevention is a key goal of therapy in COPD. A majority of COPD exacerbations are triggered by respiratory viral infections and/or bacterial infections. Several pharmacologic therapies can prevent COPD exacerbations and reduce hospital admissions. Nonpharmacologic interventions for exacerbation prevention include pulmonary rehabilitation, long-term oxygen therapy, and home noninvasive ventilator support. Improved management of acute exacerbations also prolongs the time to the next exacerbation event. (Source: Clinics in Chest Medicine)

This article reviews the key components of the pharmacologic treatment of COPD, both acute and chronic, with an emphasis on those recent studies, which are likely to change practice in the next few years. (Source: Clinics in Chest Medicine)