Acute Care- Resp Flashcards
Textbook triad of PE
Pleuritic chest pain
Dyspnoea
Haemoptysis
4 signs of PE
Tachypnoea
Clear chest/ crackles
Tachycardia
Fever
PE initial Ix
ECG
CXR
If low pre-test probability: PERC
2-level Wells score
List 9 non-modifiable risk factors for PE
DVT
Recent surgery
Immobility
Previous DVT/ PE
Malignancy
Anti phospholipid syndrome
Recent MI
Age
Pregnancy + 6w postpartum
List 4 modifiable risk factors for PE
Long duration travel
Obesity
COCP
Smoking
Describe action based on Well’s score in PE
Low Probability ,<4: use D-dimer
High Probability > 4: required imaging (CTPA)
ECG in PE
May be normal
Sinus tachycardia (most common), RAD or RBBB
S1Q3T3 pattern (less common)
S1Q3T3 pattern?
S wave in lead 1
Q wave in lead 3
T-wave inversion in lead 3
What mneumonic can be used to remember the PERC criteria?
H- hormone use (oestrogen)
A- Age >50
D- DVT or PE hx
C- Coughing blood
L- Leg swelling disparity
O- O2 <95%
T- Tachycardia >100bpm
S- Surgery or Trauma (recent)
7 features of the 2-level Wells score
C- Clinical features of DVT (3)
A- Alternative dx less likely (3)
T- Tachycardia (1.5)
P- Previous DVT or PE (1.5)
I- Immobilisation >3 days (1.5)
C- Cancer (1)
H- Haemoptysis (1)
What is the initial management of a patient with a Wells score >4?
Admit + immediate CTPA
(if NA immediately, anticoagulant in interim)
If CTPA is negative in a patient with a Wells score >4, what should be performed?
Proximal leg vein USS
In a patient with renal impairment and a Wells score >4, what investigation is preferred?
V/Q scan
(doesn’t require contrast)
How should patients be further assessed with a Wells score of 4 or less?
D-dimer with results available within 4h (if >4 anticoagulate)
D-dimer +ve: CTPA
D-dimer -ve: consider alternative dx (+ stop interim anticoagulant)
What should be offered as interim anticoagulation if appropriate?
Apixaban
or
Rivaroxaban
(if unsuitable- 5 days LMWH, then Dabigatran
What tool determines whether a patient with PE can be managed as an outpatient?
Pulmonary Embolism Severity Index (PESI)
How should haemodynamically stable patients with confirmed PE be managed?
DOAC: Apixapan (10mg BD) or Rivaroxaban (15mg BD)
+ PESI risk assessment
If DOACs are unsuitable, what other form of anticoagulation can be used in a confirmed PE?
LMWH
Followed by Dabigatran or Edoxaban
OR
LMWH
Followed by Vitamin K antagonist i.e. Warfarin
What is the recommended management of cancer patients with PE?
DOACs (unless CI)
For what duration should patients with PE be on anticoagulation?
Provoked: 3 months
Unprovoked: 6 months
How are haemodynamically unstable PE patients managed?
UFH
Thrombolysis: Alteplase IV
Switch to DOAC after several hours on UFH post-thrombolysis
What surgical options are available in massive PE management?
Embolectomy
What primary prevention measures can be taken for PE?
Compression stockings
DOAC/ LMWH
Good mobilisation + adequate hydration
PE counselling
We think you have a pulmonary embolism. A blood clot has developed in one of the deep veins in your legs, travelled up your legs + body to block one of the blood vessels to your lungs.
We need to keep you in hospital to do a scan of your lungs to confirm and locate the blood clot. Before the scan results are back, we need to give you a blood thinning medication through an injection to prevent further clots from blocking your lungs. We do not have to remove the blood clot that is currently blocking the vessel as it will dissolve on its own within the next few days. We will also give you some oxygen to support your breathing and some painkillers for your chest and calf pain.
Most important RF for PTX
SMOKING