Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma in ICU

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma are common chronic respiratory diseases. Both cause expiratory airflow limitation, are a result of chronic airway inflammation and can produce episodes of life-threatening respiratory failure. In the acute situation, clinical presentation of these conditions can be very similar, with symptoms of breathlessness, cough and wheeze predominating. This article will focus on the critical care aspects of both conditions and will discuss both pre- and peri-ICU management.