Objective   To explore the risk factors impacting on the mortality of acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD).    Methods   Totally 33 patients dying of AECOPD and 40 discharged AECOPD patients at the same period who were admitted in our hospital from January 2004 to June 2008 were analyzed retrospectively for the risk factors of prognosis.    Results   The general data and d

emographic characteristics of patients in the both groups were approximately matched. Moreover there was no significant difference in the oxygenation index

and the cases with acid-base imbalance between the 2 groups. But there were significant difference in the highest PaCO

2

level in the hospital and the number of the cases using mechanical ventilation

being with pulmonary encephalopathy

renal failure

alimentary tract hemorrhage and multiple organ dysfunction syndromes (MODS). By the multiple Logistic regression analysis

the alimentary tract hemorrhage (the OR value 13.09

95%CI 1.06 to 162.18)

no-invasive (the OR value 9.19

95%CI 2.15 to 39.42) and invasive ventilation (the OR value 11.055

95%CI 1.91 to 63.94) were the independence associated risk factors for mortality of AECOPD. There was no any case in the control group with renal failure

MODS

and disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC)

so these factors was not carried on the multiple regression analysis.    Conclusion   The hypoxemia and acid-base imbalance are not the associated risk factors for mortality of AECOPD. But renal failure

alimentary tract hemorrhage and MODS

as well as needing the machinery ventilation are the important associated risk factors for mortality of AECOPD.