Acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Patients who are ventilated are at high risk of infection. May be due to aspiration following intubation and/or related to bypassing normal anatomic structures involved in host defense.

Overview of pneumonia

Antibiotic-associated colitis, which may be due to Clostridium difficile, is a recognized complication of exposure to antibiotics.

Clostridium difficile-associated disease

Occurs due to mechanical ventilation, and is the development of extra-alveolar air. Careful use of ventilator settings, including use of lower tidal volumes, faster inspiratory flow rates, and monitoring airway pressures may help prevent the occurrence of this complication.

Occurs due to increased intrathoracic pressure and increased dynamic hyperinflation, leading to decreased venous return to the heart, often in conjunction with relative volume depletion and/or use of anxiolytic and/or narcotic medications.

This may develop as a result of increased hypoxic vasoconstriction due to exacerbation-induced hypoxemia. The resulting increase in pulmonary vascular resistance and/or pulmonary artery pressure can lead to acute right heart failure. Elevated jugular venous pressure, hepatojugular reflux, peripheral edema, and relative hypotension may be present.