Pitfalls

  • Mistaking COPD for CPO or vice versa
  • Mistaking pneumonia for CPO and the consequent misuse of vasodilators and diuretics in septic patients
  • Failure to identify and treat the precipitating cause of CPO e.g. STEMI
  • Inappropriate use of high dose diuretics in patients with CPO who are euvolaemic or hypovolaemic