Chronic respiratory insufficiency

Alternative names:

chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; COPD

Symptoms:

• shortness of breath (dyspnea)
• at rest
• persisting for months to years
• respiratory rate greater than 20 breaths per minute

Signs and tests:

An examination often reveals increased work involved in breathing: nasal flaring may be evident during air intake, chest inspection reveals contraction of the muscles between the ribs (intercostal retraction) and the use of accessory breathing muscles. Arterial blood gas shows low levels of oxygen (hypoxemia) and respiratory acidosis.