Abstract
Diuretics are a mainstay of antihypertensive therapy for patients with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD); ability to clear airway secretions and, in patients with COPD, electrolyte and acid-base status should be monitored. β-Blockers are contraindicated in asthma and are generally better avoided in COPD; if benefit outweighs risk (as it may in cases of acute myocardial infarction, for example), start with a trial of a low dose of a β 1-selective agent without intrinsic sympathomimetic activity. α-Blockers and calcium channel blockers have favorable safety profiles with concomitant pulmonary disease; monitor oxygenation and right ventricular function in COPD patients receiving calcium channel blockers. Medications that exert inhibitory effects on the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system may also have bronchoprotective effects. The new angiotensin II receptor blockers are an option for patients who cannot tolerate angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 437-446 |
Number of pages | 10 |
Journal | Journal of Critical Illness |
Volume | 15 |
Issue number | 8 |
State | Published - Jan 1 2000 |
All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes
- Critical Care and Intensive Care Medicine