The use of methylxanthines in AECOPD

摘要

The Canadian Thoracic.Society(CTS)has wimdrawn the use of intravenous methylxanurines in its-2007 update for the management of acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(AECOPD)in hospital when short-acting bronchodilatorsfail to elicit an effect in patients.Current National Institute for Heakh and Clinical Excellence(2004) guidelines on the treatment in hospital still advise its use when inhaled bronchodilator resistant AECOPD fails to respond.Clearly,this is a matter that the 2010 NICE guideline review of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease guidelines should be bearing in mind.