Breathlessness Flashcards
Cardiac signs of a PE
Low BP
High HR
Gallop rhythm
High JVP
RV heave
Cyanosis
AF
Resp sx/signs of a PE
Pleural rub and pleuritic pain
Tachypnoea
Cyanosis
What are the scoring tests and algorithm for PE
Well’s score:
<4 do d-dimer- negative can rule out, positive do CTPA
> 4 straight to CTPA (or if a delay treat with LMWH)
Low risk- PERC score to rule out
Further investigations in PE
CXR
ABG
U&E, FBC, clotting
ECG
What can you use if CTPA unavailable for PE?
V/Q scan
What can you use the if susp PE patient is well and the CXR is normal
V/Q scan
Management of PE
Morphine 5-10mg IV
LMWH or fondaparinux (IV)
Thrombolysis (e.g. alteplase) if haemodynamically stable,
if they are not then consider vasopressors
Anticoags for long term- DOAC or warfarin
Consider the cause
O2 and fluids if needed
If hypotensive/haemodynamically unstable patient with PE who do you need for input?
ICU
How do you switch from the LMWH to the longer term anticoag for PE?
If DOAC, swap. If warfarin, do both and stop the LMWH when the INR is <2
What causes could there be of PE?
DVT, malignancy, thrombophilia, polycythaemia, OCP, pregnancy, immobility.
How long does someone with a PE need to remain on their anticoagulant?
Depends:
Provoked PE: 3m then reassess
Unprovoked PE: >3 months
Malignany: 6m or until cancer gone
Pregnancy: until end of pregnancy.
Negative PERC score change of PE?
2%
What might the CXR show in PE?
decreased vascular markings, wedge shaped infarct
What might the ECG show in PE?
often normal or sinus tachycardia
May have:
RBBB
AF
RA deviation
S1Q3T3
What is S1Q3T3?
S wave in lead 1 is deep
Q wave present in lead 3
T wave inverted in lead 3
4 causes pulmonary oedema
Cardiac
ARDS
Fluid overload
Neurogenic
Symptoms pulmonary oedema
Dyspnoea, orthopnoea, pink frothy sputum
Examination findings in pulmonary oedema
Raised JVP
Fine crackles
Gallop rhythm
Wheeze
Usually sitting up and leaning forward, distressed, pale, sweaty
Investigations to get in susp pulmonary oedema
CXR
ECG
U&E, troponin, ABG, BNP
Possibly an echo
What does CXR pulmonary oedema show?
Alveolar oedema
B-lines (kerly)
Cardiomegaly
Diversion of upper lobes (blood vessel dilation)
Effusions bilaterally
What are you looking for in pulmonary oedema ecg?
MI
dysrhthmia
Management of pulmonary oedema
Sit up right
High flow O2
IV access and monitor ECG, treat arrhythmias
Diamorphine 1.25-5mg IV slowly
Furosemide 40-80mg IV slowly
GTN 2 puffs (unless sys BP <90), if systolic BP >/= 100 start nitrate infusion
Observe on cardiac monitor/telemetry
Daily weighing and repeat CXR
What would you do if pulmonary oedema is worsening further following initial management?
A further 40-80mg furosemide.
Consider CPAP
Increase nitrate if able to without dropping BP
Consider alt diagnosis
If someone with pulmonary oedema has systolic BP <100 how do you treat it?
Treat as cardiogenic shock and send to ICU
How much do you want the weight to decrease by each day in pulmonary oedema?
0.5kg/day
60-75% pneumonias are caused by ___?
Strep pneumoniae
Staph aureus is a more common cause of pneumonia in which group?
ICU pts
Four other common pathogen causes of pneumonia
Viruses
Haemophilus influenzae, m. pneumoniae, legionella, chlamydia psittaci
What pathogen is likely to cause pneumonia in HAP, immunocompromised and COPD
Pseudomonas
15% pneumonia is caused by _____
viruses e.g. influenza
What four signs might you notice in pneumonia
Dull percussion note
Increased tactile vocal f/r
Bronchial breathing
Pleural rub
What investigations do you do initially for pneumonia
CURB 65 score
CXR
SpO2 ± ABG
FBC, U&E, LFT, CRP
Consider viral throat swab and mycoplasma PCR/serology
What does each bit of CURB 65 stand for?
confusion (AMTS <8)
Urea (>7mmol/L)
Resp rate (30+/min)
BP (<90/60)
> 65yo
How do you interpret the CURB score
0-1 home Rx
> 2 hospital
3+ severe, to ICU
If CURB is >2 what further investigations do you do?
Blood cultures, IV antibiotics (PO if <2), urine pneumococcal and legionella urine antigens, sputum cultures