Complications and prognosis of COPD

Complications

1. Cor pulmonale
2. Acute exacerbation of COPD
3. Pulmonary hypertension
4. Pneumothorax
5. Secondary polycythemia
6. End-stage lung disease

Prognosis

• Dependent upon severity of lung disease/whether person continues to smoke
• FEV1 (forced expiratory volume after 1 second)>50% predicted = very good prognosis
• Survival rate slightly less than patients without COPD
• FEV1<0.5l>
• Any level of lung infection = improves when patient quits smoking
• Lung infections (can be fatal)
• Heart may be affected (if lungs severely damaged)
• Death if heart and lungs unable to function to transport oxygen to body's organs/tissues or when complication arises