Physiological abnormalities in patients admitted with acute exacerbation of COPD: an observational study with continuous monitoring

Acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) may rapidly require intensive care treatment. Evaluation of vital signs is necessary to detect physiological abnormalities (micro events), but patients may deteriorate between measurements. We aimed to assess if continuous monitoring of vital signs in patients admitted with AECOPD detects micro events more often than routine ward rounds. In this observational pilot study (NCT03467815), 30 adult patients admitted with AECOPD were included. Patients were continuously monitored with peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO