Feasibility Study of the Hemolung Respiratory Assist System

Inclusion Criteria: * Moderate or severe COPD, as defined by the GOLD criteria * Acute exacerbation of COPD (sustained worsening of patient's condition necessitating a change in regular medication) * On non-invasive positive pressure mechanical ventilation \> 1hour with either: * PaCO2 \> 55 mmHg with pH \< 7.25 OR * PaCO2 \> 55 mmHg with \< 5mmHg decrease from baseline and pH \< 7.30 * Not severely hypoxemic (PaO2/FiO2 ≥ 200 mmHg on PEEP/CPAP ≤ 5 cmH2O) * Hemodynamically stable (mean arterial pressure \> 65 mmHg without vasopressor support) * Chronic arrhythmias (e.g., atrial fibrillation) well controlled * Minimum platelet count of 100,000/mm3 * Minimum red blood cell count of 2.5 mill/μl Exclusion Criteria: * Presence of acute, uncontrolled arrhythmia * Acute ischemic heart disease * Presence of bleeding diathesis * Significant abnormality or weakness/paralysis of respiratory muscles due to a know muscular dystrophy or neurologic disorder * Recent (\< 7 days) prolonged (\>24 hrs) use of muscle paralyzing agents * Cerebrovascular accident, intracranial bleed, head injury or other neurologic disorder likely to affect ventilation * Coma from any cause, or decreased consciousness * Hypersensitivity to heparin or previous heparin induced thrombocytopenia * Recent (\< 6 months) major chest abdominal trauma or surgery * Presence of septic shock * Presence of a significant pneumothorax or bronchopleural fistula * History of uncontrolled major psychiatric disorder * Pregnant women * Known to have AIDS or to have symptomatic HIV * Received chemotherapy or radiation within the previous 90 days * Received an organ transplant other than corneal transplants * Received or currently receiving immunosuppressive therapy, excluding corticosteroids within the last 3 months * Presence of severe renal or liver failures * Known vascular abnormality with could complicate or prevent successful insertion of the vascular access catheter in the right femoral vein * Presence of another catheter in the right femoral vein that cannot be moved * Presence of an inferior vena cava filter