Effect of Discontinuation of Furosemide On PaCO2 in Patients With COPD

Abstract

COPD remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide and has significant financial implication for health care systems, and remain a major cause for admission to hospital and a common cause of death. Peripheral edema is common in COPD; moreover many of the patients with COPD are administered oral furosemide to treat peripheral edema which may produce metabolic alkalosis. The consequent metabolic alkalosis will cause reduced alveolar ventilation but has no significant effect on PaCO2 as hypercapnia is believed to be an ominous sign for morbidity and mortality. In this work, sixty patients were hospitalized in Elsahal teaching hospital during the period from January 2008 to December 2008 and They were divided into two groups, Group A (30 patients) furosemide was discontinued for one week and Group B(30 patients) furosemide was continued for one week.