Aminophylline in acute exacerbation of COPD: Utility and treatment effects in hypercapnic respiratory failure (ACUTE): A pilot observational study.

Abstract

Background and objective: Aminophylline may play a role in managing both stable and exacerbating COPD, but its use is controversial due to its narrow therapeutic window. We aimed to evaluate the role of aminophylline in acute exacerbations of COPD under monitored conditions in patients who remained acidotic and hypercapnic after 48 hours of maximal treatment.

Methods: We conducted a prospective, nonrandomized cohort study with 30 patients receiving aminophylline infusion in addition to standard care, matched to 20 historical controls. The primary outcome was the length of hospital stay, with secondary outcomes including improvements in oxygenation, PaCO2, and dyspnea severity.

Results: There was no significant difference in hospital stay (11.23 vs. 12.65 days, P = 0.234) or ICU stay between the two groups. However, aminophylline significantly improved dyspnea severity (P = 0.0081), P/F ratio (P = 0.0014), and PaCO2 levels (P = 0.00001). Both groups showed improvements in oxygenation, but only the aminophylline group demonstrated a significant reduction in CO2 levels.

Conclusion: Aminophylline did not affect the length of hospital or ICU stay but improved hypercapnia and dyspnea severity in patients with refractory COPD exacerbations. We believe it should be used in severe acidotic COPD exacerbations unresponsive to conventional therapies, with an aim to correct hypercapnia.