Enoximone

Introduction:
The pharmacodynamic properties of enoximone could be beneficial for patients with an Acute Exacerbation COPD (AE-COPD). This research will focus on patients suffering of a severe AE-COPD and the bronchodilatory and inotropic effects of lower doses of enoximone. The main objective of the pilot study is to investigate if there is a bronchodilatory effect of enoximone in patients with AE-COPD. Secondary objective is to investigate a dose responsiveness in a range between 0.5 and 1.5 mg/kg enoximone.
Methods:
The study design is a prospective interventional non-randomized clinical series study involving patients admitted and intubated at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) with an AE-COPD. Patients will receive three times a dose of 0.5 mg/kg enoximone with a one-hour-interval. The primary objective is a reduction in auto-positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) after enoximone compared to baseline. A dose-titration will test for dose dependency. Secondary objectives are a reduction in ventilator pressures, a reduction in pulmonary artery pressures and an increase in cardiac output.