Study assesses COPD drug in reducing ventilator time

A new placebo-controlled trial set out to analyze acetazolamide for the treatment of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and metabolic alkalosis. The primary outcome of the 380-patient study was the duration of invasive mechanical ventilation via endotracheal intubation or tracheotomy. Acetazolamide was administered to 187 patients, who were compared with 193 in the placebo group. No significant difference was found for the median duration of mechanical ventilation.