Obvious emphysema on CT during an acute exacerbation of COPD predicts a poor prognosis 1

Background: Emphysematous change on computed tomography (CT) during the stable phase of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is reported to correlate with COPD prognosis. Acute exacerbation of COPD (AECOPD) is associated with a high risk of mortality and a poor prognosis. Aims: To study the relationship between prognosis and emphysematous changes on CT during an AECOPD. Methods: Histories were recorded and CT acquired for 106 patients who visited the emergency department for an AECOPD. Emphysematous change was quantified by measuring the percentage of low-attenuation areas (LAA%) in the entire lung on CT images with a threshold of -950 HU. Other factors that could influence AECOPD prognosis were also recorded upon admission and analysed. At follow-ups conducted in 1 year, patient survival, the modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) Dyspnea A cc ep te d A rti cl e