摘要
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality in the UK and worldwide. The association of COPD with the term‘irreversible airways disease' has led many doctors to the mistaken conclusion thatit is‘untreatable'. Overcoming negative expectations is the first step in effectivemanagement Acute respiratory failure in COPD is descrihed MIEDICINE 32:1,95；this
