Patients With Severe Acute Exacerbation of COPD Ans Admitted in ICU Register.

This study is a registry (data collection study) for people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who have a severe flare-up bad enough to require admission to an intensive care unit (ICU) or specialized respiratory unit. Researchers want to better understand outcomes and factors that affect survival in this serious situation. **You may be eligible if...** - You are 40 years old or older - You have COPD — either previously diagnosed or strongly suspected based on symptoms and exposures like tobacco smoke - You are having a severe worsening of your breathing that requires ICU, step-up, or respiratory care unit admission - You show signs of respiratory distress or have high CO2 with acidosis in your blood **You may NOT be eligible if...** - You have a known diagnosis of asthma (not COPD) - You refuse to participate Talk to your doctor to see if this trial is right for you.