7. COPD Flashcards
what is COPD?
disease with progressive airflow limitation that is not fully reversible. associated with abnormal inflammatory response of lungs to toxins (can be smoking)
two types of COPD?
chronic bronchitis, emphysema
defn of chronic bronchitis?
productive cough on most days for a minimum of 3 mo/year for at least 2 yrs. clinical dx
def of emphysema?
enlargement of airspaces distal to the terminal bronchiole, destruction of the alveolar walls. no fibrosis. pathological dx.
risk factors for COPD?
cig smoke
occupational dust and particles
environmental tobacco smoke
air pollution
how does exposure to inhaled toxins yield the COPD disease state?
inflammatory process in response to the inhaled toxins, neutrophils release proteases, leads to inflammation and loss of elastic recoil
the two main problems in COPD?
- small airway disease (airway inflammation/remodeling)
2. parenchymal destruction (loss of elastic recoil)
what does the ‘obstructive’ element of COPD refer to?
airway narrowing and airflow obstruction
if smoke primarily affects small airways, then the phenotype will be?
chronic bronchitis – mucosal inflammation, fibrosis
if smoke primarily affects parenchyma and alveoli, then the phenotype will be?
emphysema – disrupted alveolar attachments, loss of elastic recoil
phenotype of chronic bronchitis?
productive cough, hypoxia/cyanosis, pulmonary HTN
phenotype of emphysema?
breathlessness, cachexia (wasting)
what is alpha-1-anti-trypsin?
protein made in liver, inhibitor of circulating proteases in the lungs. (ie, inhibits proteases from damaging lung)
what will happen if someone has an alpha-1-anti-trypsin deficiency? (recessive trait)
w this deficiency + cig smoking, will dev COPD earlier on than would with just cigs.
if someone has an alpha-1-anti-trypsin deficiency but does not smoke cigs, will they dev COPD?
improbable
using spirometry, how would you dx obstructive disease?
based on FEV1/FVC radio. usually lower than 70% of normal.
if FEV1/FVC ratio is low, what are the 3 possible diagnoses?
- chronic bronchitis
- emphysema
- CF
what happens with FRC in emphysema?
incr due to reduced elastic recoil of the lung. hypervolume
what happens with FRC in chronic bronchitis?
FRC is normal, elastic recoil is not affected.
what happens with RV in emphysema?
RV is increased due to air trapping. pt is unable to exhale all the air completely.
what happens with RV in chronic bronchitis?
RV is increased due to air trapping. pt is unable to exhale all the air completely.
what happens with FVC in emphysema?
may be normal or decr, due to air trapping.
what is FVC/VC?
total amt of air that can be exhaled after a deep inhalation. dependent on RV.
what happens with FVC in chronic bronchitis?
may be normal or decr, due to air trapping.
what is FRC?
balance between the outward expansion of the chest wall and the inward/elastic recoil of the lung
what is RV?
amt of air in the lungs at the end of forced vital capacity
what is TLC?
amt of air in the lungs after a deep inhalation. detd by the elastic recoil of the lungs and insp muscle strength.
what happens with TLC in emphysema?
inc due to reduced elastic recoil of the lung