The purpose of this study is to assess whether administration of a bolus dose of MgSO4 (magnesium sulfate) plus standard therapy is superior to standard therapy alone for the management of Acute Exacerbations of Chronic Pulmonary Obstructive Disease (AECOPD) in the emergency department. The investigators hypothesize that MgSO4 causes faster recovery of the bronchospasm, and a reduction of the dead space, translating to the following clinical outcomes : less hospitalisation, lower length of stay (LOS), better composite outcome of hospitalisation + LOS + readmission for AECOPD.
Patients presenting to the participant Emergency Departments (ED) with a diagnosis of AECOPD and who receive at least one dose of albuterol, will be randomized to receive either placebo or one dose of MgSO4 2g IV. Security and efficacy outcomes will be measured.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
QUADRUPLE
Administration of a bolus of 2 g of MgSO4 in 20 min, one dose.
Administration of 100 mL of Normal Saline
Percentage of Admissions for AECOPD
Number of patients admitted to hospital
Time frame: baseline
Recurrence of AECOPD
A composite outcome of (death, re-admission for AECOPD, new visit for AECOPD in the ED) in patients who are discharged either directly from the ED or after admission on the wards.
Time frame: 10, 30, 90 days after hospital discharge
Mortality of any cause
Time frame: Participants will be followed for the duration of the hospital stay, an expected 2 weeks, and for 30 days after discharge, up to 1 year after randomization
Length of stay
Measured in hours, from baseline to discharge, either from ED, or after hospital admission
Time frame: Participants will be followed for the duration of the hospital stay, an expected 2 weeks, and up to 1 year after randomization.
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