Introduction/Aim Acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease can vary in severity and the degree of ventilatory support that is required, and there remain a significant cohort of patients that require admission to the intensive care unit for this indication. The aim of this study is to define the characteristics of patients admitted to the intensive care unit with exacerbations of COPD, with a focus on their comorbidities, and their mortality.

Methods Retrospective review of patient admitted to the ICU at Logan Hospital with the primary diagnosis of an exacerbation of COPD, between 2014 and 2017.

Results A total of 117 patients with an average age of 68 were admitted to the ICU for the management of an exacerbation COPD. The prevalence of comorbidities was high, including obesity (45%), hypertension (43%), and obstructive sleep apnoea (31%). The main reason for admission was hypercapneic respiratory failure, though this wasn't the exclusive cause, and 36% of patients were not acidaemic at the time of ICU admission. The predicted risk of death in hospital using APACHE2 ICU scoring system was 26.5% compared with the observed mortality of 22%. One year mortality was 47%. Only 45% of the admitted patients were known to the local respiratory team prior to admission to ICU.

Conclusion Patients who required ICU admission due to an exacerbation of COPD were defined by multiple comorbidities and these admissions were associated with high mortality at 30 days and one year. Optimal monitoring and follow‐up can potentially be aided by acknowledging these findings.