Treatment of patients hospitalized for exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: comparison of an oral/metered-dose inhaler regimen and an intravenous/nebulizer regimen.

Objective: Compare the therapeutic efficacy of an oral/metered-dose inhaler (oral/MDI) regimen to an intravenous/nebulizer (I.V./neb) regimen of methylprednisolone, cefuroxime, and inhaled albuterol and ipratropium bromide in patients hospitalized for exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).