Download PDF
Semin Respir Crit Care Med
DOI: 10.1055/a-2811-3019
Review Article

Physiopathology of Exacerbation of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Authors

  • Roberto Tonelli   ‡

    1   Respiratory Diseases Unit, University Hospital of Modena, Modena, Italy
    2   Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Modena Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy

  • Sofia Michelacci

    1   Respiratory Diseases Unit, University Hospital of Modena, Modena, Italy
    1   Respiratory Diseases Unit, University Hospital of Modena, Modena, Italy

  • Alessia Verduri

    1   Respiratory Diseases Unit, University Hospital of Modena, Modena, Italy

  • Enrico Clini

    1   Respiratory Diseases Unit, University Hospital of Modena, Modena, Italy
    2   Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Modena Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
Further Information
   Permissions and Reprints

Abstract

Acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (ECOPD) represent crucial events in the natural history of the disease. These are mainly characterized by abrupt worsening of respiratory symptoms, that is, dyspnea, cough, and sputum production. Defined by the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) as acute symptom deterioration requiring additional therapy, ECOPD markedly worsens lung function and has strong clinical outcomes for any patient involved. Pathobiology is multidimensional, arising from inflammatory, mechanical, and cardiovascular perturbations that are linked to each other and are likely to generate a self-reinforcing cycle of respiratory derangement and/or failure. Indeed, lung inflammation and injuries intensify airflow limitation, which in turn promotes air trapping and dynamic hyperinflation, increases elastic loads, and predisposes to respiratory muscle dysfunction. The resulting alterations of the blood gases may lead to even severe respiratory system failure and to an increased risk of death.

Keywords

COPD - acute exacerbation - lung physiology - lung hyperinflation - lung compliance - airway resistance

Declaration of GenAI Use

During the writing process of this paper, the authors used ChatGPT in order to improve language and readability. The authors reviewed and edited the text and take full responsibility for the content of the paper.


Contributors' Statement

R.T.: Conceptualization, writing–review and editing. S.M.: Writing–original draft, writing–review and editing. A.V.: Writing–review and editing. E.C.: Conceptualization, writing–review and editing.


‡ These authors contributed equally to this article.




Publication History

Received: 12 December 2025

Accepted: 10 February 2026

Accepted Manuscript online:
12 February 2026

Article published online:
24 February 2026

© 2026. Thieme. All rights reserved.

Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc.
333 Seventh Avenue, 18th Floor, New York, NY 10001, USA