AVALIAÇÃO DOS EFEITOS AGUDOS DA PRESSÃO POSITIVA CONTINUA NAS VIAS AÉREAS EM PORTADORES DE DOENÇA PULMONAR OBSTRUTIVA CRÔNICA EXACERBADA (FASE PÓS-AGUDA).

This study aims to evaluate the acute effects of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) in patients with exacerbated chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD; post-acute phase), as well as the influence on the outcome of hospitalization. A total of 30 patients with exacerbated COPD were selected, oriented and submitted to the use of CPAP for 60 minutes in the semi-fowler position (45o), have been checked the respiratory rate (f), arterial oxygen saturation (SpO2), heart rate (HR) and arterial pressure (AP) connected to CPAP with orofacial mask. Later, they were accompanied for checking the outcome of hospitalization. The patients mean age was 68.7 ± 10.94 years and showed the following classifications: GOLD 10%, moderate 43% and serious 47%. Regarding the outcome of hospitalization, it has been observed that 11 individuals died (36.67%), 16 were admitted to the ICU for an average of 4.0 ± 3.0 days. The indication of CPAP in patients with exacerbated COPD, included in this study, produced positive acute effect by the improvement of SpO2. However, there was no influence in the outcome of hospitalization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]