Cardiovascular and Respiratory Flashcards
Describe the basic anatomy of the heart
Deoxygenated blood comes into heart through Superior Vena Cava goes to the Right Atrium then through the Tricuspid Valve into Right Ventricle, it’s then pumped through Left and Right Pulmonary Artery to the lungs.
After being oxygenated the blood returns via the Left and Right pulmonary veins through the mitral valve into the left ventricle and into aorta
Describe the four congenital heart diseases and what happens to the heart
1) Ventricular Septum Defect: hole in the septum between the ventricles so blood mixes, the left side of the heart has higher pressure so oxygenated blood pushed into the right ventricle more which overwhelms it and caused right sided failure.
2) Atrial Septal Defect: like ventricular, blood pushed from higher pressure left side into right mixing blood
3) Tetralogy of Fallot: ventricular septum defect so ventricles connected, aorta is above this defect so is getting blood from both sides, causes ventricular septum hypertrophy and the pulmonary veins become constricted as it’s hard for blood to get through pulmonary valve, just goes straight to aorta which it shouldn’t, this means less blood getting to the lungs and less blood coming back through pulmonary veins
4) Coarctation of the Aorta: wall of aorta is constricted at a point so when left ventricle is in systole not much blood can get through. Causes less cardiac output, less SV, breathlessness because not getting enough oxygenated blood
What are the structural defects of the heart that do not have a congenital cause.
Aortic Stenosis
Aortic Regurgitation
Mitral Stenosis
Mitral Regurgitation
What is the most common valvular disease and its cause
Aortic Stenosis
Describe Aortic Stenosis’ pathophysiology, risk factor, causes, what usually occurs before hand and how suspected
Aortic Stenosis
Risk factors : hypertension, LDL levels, smoking, hugh C reactive protein, congesnital bicuspid valves, CKD, radiotherapy, older age.
Causes: rheumatic heart disease, congenital heart disease, calcium build up
Pathophysiology:
Affects older people, the risk factors cause damage to the valvular endothelium which causes inflammation and leads to leaflet fibrosis and deposition of calcium on the aortic valve. Eventually progressive fibrosis and deposition causes aortic sclerosis where the aortic valve thickens without flow limitation. Suspected by presence of early peaking systolic ejection murmur ( hear a murmur as blood hits against a calcified aortic wall).
Result:
Stenosed valve means blood cannot fully be pushed out causing long standing pressure overload in the left ventricle and leading to left ventricular hypertrophy to combat this stress (gets bigger to reduce the afterload). As stenosis worsens, the left ventricular wall stress then increases because the ventricle dilates due to the continuing filling of blood which makes the afterload too high and the ventricles cannot contract - systolic function therefore declines resulting in systolic heart failure
How is aortic stenosis diagnosed and managed
History: exertional dyspnoea and fatigue, chest pain, ejection systolic murmur (crecendo-decrescendo, peaks mid-systole and radiates to carotid), history of rhematic fever, high LDL or lipoprotein, CKD, over 65
Investigations: Transthoracic echocardiography, ECG Chest X-ray, Cardiac catheterisation, cardiac MRI
Management:
Aortic Valve Replacement - can be mechanical or bioprosthetic
Antihypertensive- to reduce pressure overload like amlodipine
ACE inhibitors - blocks angiotensin converting enzyme to stop reabsorption of fluid and thus lower blood pressure
Statins-
Describe Aortic Regurgitations pathophysiology, risk factor, causes, what usually occurs before hand and how suspected
Causes:
Rheumatic heart disease, Infective endocarditis, Aortic valve stenosis, Congenital heart defects, congenital bicuspid valves
Or aortic root dilation caused by : marfans syndrome, connective tissue diseases, idiopathic, ankylosing spondylitis, trauma
Pathophysiology:
Diastolic leakage of blood from the aorta into the left ventricle. Incompetence of valve leaflets due to valve diseases or aortic root dilation.
ACUTE AR is a medical emergency where presentation would be sudden pulmonary oedema and hypotension or cardiogeneic shock. Acute aortic regurgitation can be due to infective endocarditis which ruptures leaflets, vegetations on valvular cusps or chest trauma. Happens as there is an increased blood volume in the left ventricle dueing systole, so LV end diastolic pressure increases (backpressure on atria and lungs which are trying to put more blood in increases) , this increases pulmonary venous pressure, causes dyspneoa and pulmonary oedema which leads to heart failure and cardiogenic shock
CHRONIC AR leads to cardiac failure, this can be due to a bicuspid aortic valve or rheumatic fever (fever causes fibrotic changes causing thickening and retraction of leaflets) . Happens due to a gradual increase in LV volume, LV enlarges and due to this and eccentric hypertrophy occurs, In early stages the EF normal or slightly raised, in later stages the EF falls and LV end systolic volume rises. Eventually LV dyspnoea, to lower coronary perfusion, ischaemia, necrosis and apoptosis
How is aortic regurgitation diagnosed and managed
History:
ACUTE: tachycardia, cyanosis, pulmonary oedema, cardiogenic shock
CHRONIC: wide pulse pressure(systolic - diastolic blood pressure), corrigan (wate hammer pulse), pistol shot pulse)
Investigations:
Transthoracid echocardigraphy
Chest X ray
cardiac catheterisation
Cardiac MRI/CT
Management:
Acute AR: ionotropes/vasodialtors, valve replacement and repair
Chronic asymtomatic: if LV function normal then drugs or reassurance
Chronic symtpomatic: Valve replacement and vasodilator therapy
Prevent before this by treating rheumatic fever and infective endocarditis
Describe Mitral Stenosis pathophysiology, risk factor, causes, what usually occurs before hand and how suspected
Causes:
Rheumatic fever, Carcinoid syndrome, lupus, mitral calcification due to age, amyloidosis, rheumatoid arthritis, congenital deformity
Pathophysiology:
Obstruction to left ventricular INFLOW due to structural abnormality. Stenosis usually happens decades after rheumatic fever. Rheumatic fever leads to formation of foci and infiltrates in the endocardium and myocardium and along the walls of the valves. After a while it gets thickened, calcified and results in stenosis. Severe mitral stenoss leads to increased left atrial pressure and fluid moving into lung interstitium causing dyspnoea at rest and exertion. Backpressure to the lungs can also cause hypertension and less filling of left ventricle limits cardiac output. Will cough up blood if a bronchial vein ruptures from pressure.
How is mitral stenosis diagnosed and managed
History and Presentation:
history of rheumatic fever, dyspnoea, orthopnoea (breathlessness relieved by sitting or standing), diastolic murmur (when blood goes from atria to ventricle), loud p2, neck vein distention, coughing up blood, 40-50yrs old.
Investigation:
ECG, transthoracic echocardiography, Chest X ray, cardiac catheterisation, cardiac MRI/CT
Management:
if progressive asymptomatic- nothing
if severe asymptomatic- no therapy just baloon valvotomy
severe symptomatic- diuretic, balloon valvotomy, valve replacement,b-blockers
Describe Mitral Regurgitation pathophysiology, risk factor, causes, what usually occurs before hand and how suspected
Causes:
Acute- mitral valve prolapse, Rheumatic heart disease, infective endocarditis, valvular surgery, prostethic mitral valve dysfunction
Chronic- rheumatic heart disease, lupus, scleroderma, hypertropic cardiomyopathy, drugs
Pathophysiology
Infectious endocarditis can cause abscess formation, vegetations, rupture of chordae tendinae and leaflet perforation
Chronic- progression leads to eccentric hypertrophy which elongates myocardial fibres and increases left end diastolic volume. Increase in preload and decrease in afterload as blood is moving back into atria, increase in end diastolic volume as not pushing the blood out so stays in ventricle, decrease in end systolic volume because ventricles not filling much and less wall stress/afterload. Pressure put on LA all the time so leads to left ventricular dysfunction and an increased lv end-systolic diameter
Is the abnormal reversal of blood flow from LV to LA
How is mitral regurgitation diagnosed and managed
History and Presentation:
Dyspnea, diminished S1, fatigue, orthopnea, chest pain, atrial fibrillation
Investigations:
ECG, Transthoracic echocardigraphy, Chest X ray, cardiac catheterisation, cardiac MRI/CT
Management
Acute: emergency surgery with diuretics before and intra-aortic balloon counterpulsation to reduce afterload pressure
Chronic asymptomatic: ACE inhibitors or Beta blockers if ventricular EF is less than 60%, 1st line is surgery
Chronic symptomatic: surgery with medical treatment, if LV EF is less than 30% then intra aortic balloon counterpulsation
What is the name of diseases of the heart muscle that make it harder to pump blood to rest of body
Cardiomyopathies
a problem with the heart tissue
What are the three types of cardiomyopathy
1) Dilated
2) Hypertrophic
3) Restrictive
Describe causes and pathophysiology of dilated cardiomyopathy
usually older people, will see a large ventricle/ ventricular dilation more than 4cm and systolic dysfunction with normal left ventricular wall thickness. get low EF, higher ventricular wall stress and high end systolic volumes. To combat this heart will increase heart rate to inc cardiac output. Will find renin-angiotensin system being activated and higher levels of catecholamines and natriuretic proteins
Causes can be familial or due to myocarditis, alcoholism, after child birth, autoimmune disorders, drugs.
Describe the history and presentation of dilated cardiomyopathy
History and Presentation: displaced apex beat, S3/systolic murmur
Investigation: genetic testing, viral serology, ecg, chest x ray
Management: modify diet, treat underlying cause, ACE, B blockers, add a diuretic and if thats ineffective then Left Ventricle assisted device to help contract
Describe causes and pathophysiology of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
Genetic cardiovascular disease, autosomal dominant
Increase in left ventricular thickness. (the muscle mass) not the cavity. Often happens to left ventricular wall and the interventricular septum which obstructs outflow to aorta. usually have abnormal diastolic function which decrease ventricular filling and increases filling pressure despite a normal cavity. Abnormal calcium kinetic and subendocardial ischaemia
Describe the history and presentation of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
normally asymptomatic and sudden cardiac death is first presentation. will have double carotid artery impulse, S3 gallop
Investigate:
Haemoglobin level as anaemia makes chest pain and dyspnea worse
Brain natriuretic preptide and troponin levels, associated with CVD risk
Management: B blocker then Verepamil, add dispyramide then mehcanical therapy
Describe the causes and pathophysiology of restrictive cardiomyopathy
Increased stiffness of myocardium so ventricular pressures rise. Diastolic dysfunction with restrictive ventricular physiology, this may cause atrial enlargement.
Happens when abnormal substances such as amyloid proteins, iron etc are deposited onto the heart which makes the myocardium stiffen which means in diastole they cannot fill, causes a reduced cardiac output.
Describe the history and presentation of restrictive cardiomyopathy
Comfortable when sitting, usually have ascites and pitting oedema of lower limb, liver enlarged and full of fluid. weight loss.
if have easy bruising, raccoon eyes, macroglossia, carpal tunnel syndrome then may be amyloidosis
increased JVP
pulse volume is decreased as stroke volume and cardiac output is decreased
Investigate:
FBC, serology, amyloidosis check, chest x ry, ECG, echocardiography, catheterisation, MRI biopsy
Management
ACEi, B blockers, angiotensin receptor II blockers, diuretics, aldosterone inhibitors.
Antiarrhythmic therapy
immunosuppression
pacemaker
cardiac transplantation
How is Stroke Vol, Cardiac Output, Ejection Fraction and Mean Arterial Pressure calculated
SV= EDV - ESV
CO= HR x SV
EF = SV/EDV x100 (how much ejected stroke volume compared to entire diastolic filling)
MAP= ((2XDBP) +SBP)/3
What is infective endocarditis?
Infective endocarditis is infection of the endocardium or vascular endothelium of the heart, usually occurs at heart valves.
How does infective endocarditis occur and where does it affect?
Bacteria enters the blood stream, binds to damaged endothelium which causes bacterial proliferation and macrophage infiltration resulting in a vegetation. (Streptococci are the most common infection) The vegetations it forms results in changes to thickness or failure to open and close. This happens at the endocardium, especially if already damaged and this occurs at areas of turbulent blood flow such as the valves of the heart. Aortic most common then mitral then right sided ones, because left side is higher pressure system.
What is a vegetation?
Bacterial infection surrounded by a layer of platelets and fibrin
How is infective endocarditis diagnosed?
Fever, malaise, sweat, weight loss, anaemia, raised white cell, microorganism in blood culture, new heart murmur, echocardiogram may show abscess, vegetation, valve perforation, prosthetic valve unstuck.
Transoesoohageal is more sensitive than transthoracic.
Features of heart decomposition in infective endocarditis?
Shortness of breath, coughing, oedema in legs and abdomen.
Raised JVP, crackles and lung oedema
Vascular and embolic phenomena : stroke, janeway lesions (painless on palm), splinter/conjunctival haemorrage
Immunological phenomena: osler nodes (painful on finger), roth spots
How does being an I.V drug user change the risk for infective endocarditis ?
Increases risk due to repeated injection which puts them at risk for bacteria in their bloodstream (either from needle or bacteria on skin). Dental surgeries also increase risk of infective endocarditis.
What groups of people is infective endocarditis most common?
Immunosuppressed, have congenital heart issues, I.V drug users, dental surgeries
Common causes of dilated cardiomyopathy?
Idiopathic, genetic, toxins, after pregnancy, viral infection, tachycardia related, thyroid disease, muscular dystrophy
How is dilated cardiomyopathy managed ?
ACEi, B blockers, mineralcortiocoid receptor agonists, diuretics, anticoagulation for atrial fibrillation, cardiac devices, transplant
Whats risks does having dilated cardiomyopathy put an individual at?
Heart failure hospitalisation
Cardiac arrhythmia
Sudden cardiac death due ti ventricular arryhtmia
Reduced survival
What are the main symptoms of asthma
Wheeze (expiration), dry cough, dyspnoea, persistent symptoms with attacks
Atopy/allergen sensitisation, reversible airway obstruction (on a flow loop graph only the top the expiration will be affected, will have a lower peak expiratory flow rate- y value, and total forced capacity-x value) airway inflammation with eosinophilia and T2 lymphocytes.
what test investigates the effect of allergens on the airways
local allergen challenge
What is the pathogenesis of allergic asthma
If the bronchial epithelium is exposed to allergens such as pollen, dustmites and mold there is parallel development of inflammation and remodelling, eosinophilia also gather in the airway epithelium, the epithelium, muscle and matrix increase even at baseline.
What is the pathogenesis of allergic asthma
If the bronchial epithelium is exposed to allergens such as pollen, dustmites and mold there is parallel development of inflammation and remodelling, eosinophilia also gather in the airway epithelium, the epithelium, muscle and matrix increase even at baseline.
Why do only some who are exposed to allergens develop asthma
Development of asthma is multifactoral- no single gene or cause, the exposure along with genetic susceptibility can cause asthma, but just the allergy alone may not lead to.
What type of immunity is seen in asthma and how does it happen
Type 2 immunity
The allergen is recognised by an antigen presenting cell, this cell takes to mediastinal lymph node to meet naive T cells to become Th2 cells which secrete IL4 (which tells B cells to make plasma cells secrete IgE) , IL5 (Recruits eosinophils which attracts histamine, cytokines, chemokines etc) and IL13 ( increases mucus)
What interleukin is central to allergic asthma
IL-5 which recruits eosinophils
What tests are used to investigate allergic sensitisation
Blood Tests- for aeroallergens, and specific IgE antibiodies
Skin Prick test
What are the tests for eosinophilia
Blood eosinophil count when patient stable: more than 300 cells/mcl is abnormal
Induced sputum eosinophil count : should not be 3% or over
Exhaled nitric oxide: marks airway inflammation and T2 high eosinophilic airway inflammation. Elevated helps to diagnose asthma and also indicates that the patient will respond to corticosteroids.
How is asthma diagnosed
History and Examination
Confirm wheeze
Tests :
- confirm airway obstruction on spirometry FEV1/FVC ratio
- confirm it is a reversible airway obstruction with bronchodilator, improvement of 12% or more
- exhaled nitric oxide of 35 ppb or more
if have symptoms and either FeNO with a positive peak flow OR obstructive spirometry and bronchodilator reversibility
How is asthma managed
1) to reduce airway eosinophilic inflammation with inhaled corticosteroids and leukotriene recptor antagonists
2) Acute symptomatic relief with beta-2 agonists and anticholinergic therapies to relax the smooth muscle
3) Severe asthma- biologics targeted to IgE (anti-IgE antibody) and biologics targeted to airway eosinophils (anti IL-5 antibody and anti IL-5 receptor antibody)
How do corticosteroids work
Inhale so directly gets to tissue and doesn’t cause side effects.
Steroids reduce airway eosinophilia by causing apoptosis, by reducing their recruitment since it decreases numbers of dendritic cells which decreases the cytokines which recruit macrophages, so less macrophages so less mast cells.
It also works on epithelial cells to reduce cytokines and mediators, endothelial cells to reduce leak, airway smooth muscle to increase B2 receptors and decrease cytokines, and the mucus gland to decrease mucus secretion
what is important to discuss with asthma patients
How to use inhalers and the correct technique
Asthma management plan that is simplified
About the importance of inhaled corticosteroids
How is the correct dosage and therapy decided
Start from a low dose and increase until the asthma is controlled
Low dose ICS -> LABA added -> increase ICS dose and add LTRA then specialist care
Describe an acute lung attack in an asthmatic
Acute lung attack is when exposed to smoke, allergen, cold etc.
Asthmatics have a reduce peak expiratory flow and increase airway obstruction, have more eosinophilic inflammation and reduced IFN-alpha, beta and delta. This means a reduced anti-viral response as cant produce antiviral inteferons which are needed.
The patient has underlying inflammation but also exposed to allergens, pathogens such as virus and bacteria, pollution and tobacco smoke so airways close even further
How is anti-IgE therapy used and what is an example of one
Binds and captures circulating IgE so prevents the IgE activating mast cells and basophils which prevents getting worse.
With time using anti-IgE, IgE production can decrease which means it may not be needed to use indefinitely
Example: Omalizumab, which is used for severe persistent allergc asthma in ppl 6 or over who need frequent oral coertiocosterodi treatment- 4 or more attacks in last year, only if have documented compliance.
Given if serum IgE between 30-1500 IU/ml
What is the name of the Anti-IL5 antibody treatment, who is it given to and how does it work
Mepolizumab, binds to IL-5 receptor on eosinophils to stop growth, recruitment and activation of eosinophils.
given to people 6 and over who have severe eosinophilic asthma, have 300 or over cells/mcl and 4 exacerbations needing oral steroids in one year. Having these two characteristics as well as taking inhaled steroids means they are more likely to respond
What is a restrictive lung disease and the two main causes
Lung volumes are small
Intrinsic lung disease- where lung parenchyma is changes such as ILD
Extrinsic disorders- lung is compressed and expansion is limited either pleural, chest wall or neuromuscular such as motor neurone or COPD
What are the cellular components of the lung parenchyma (alveolar regions)
Alveolar type 1 epithelial cells - where gas exchange occurs
Alveolar type 2 epithelial cells- produce surfactant to reduce surface tension, are stem cells which can become type 1
Fibroblasts- produce ECM like collagen type 1 to give lung structural integrity
Alveolar macrophages- phagocytose foreign material and produce surfactant
What is the interstitial space of the lung, what is its function and what is in it
the space between alveolar epithelium and capillary endothelium, gives structural support tot he lung and is very thing so gas exchange can occur.
contains:
lymphatic vessels, fibroblasts, ECM
What cell type is associated with lung epithelium
Alveolar macrophages
What is interstitial lung disease
An intrinsic lung disease, due to inflammation or fibrosis in the interstitial space which causes scarring and damage to the lung parenchyma
What are the five main things that can cause interstitial lung disease
Idiopathic
Autoimmune related: due to rheumatoid arthritis or lupus
Exposure related: Drug or exposed to an antigen
With cysts or airspace filling
Sarcoidosis
What is the clinical presentation of Interstitial lung disease
Progressive breathlessness, especially on exertion
Dry, non productive cough
Limitation in exercise tolerance
Symptoms of connective tissue diseases such as joint problems, rashes, dry eyes
Exposure history including job
Medication history
Familial history
Low oxygen saturations
Fine bilateral inspiratory crackles
Digital clubbing
How is interstitial lung disease is investigated
Blood Test- anti-nuclear antibody, rheumatoid factor, anti-citrullinated peptide
Pulmonary function tests
6 min walk test
High res CT scan
Bronchoalveolar lavage : flood lung with saline, suck out and count cells
Surgical lung biopsy
How would Interstitial Lung Disease affect lung volumes, FEV1/FVC ratio, arterial PO2, FVC, lung compliance,
Scarring makes the lung stiff so
reduced lung compliance
reduced lung volume, lungs get smaller as more scarring so dont expand in those areas
reduced full volume capacity as the lungs are smaller
reduced diffusing capacity of carbon monoxide- this indicated that O2 is not being transferred into bloodstream effectively
reduced arterial PO2- especially with exercise as O2 is not getting into the bloodstream as well
Normal or increased FE1/FVC ratio: as the full volume ratio decreases the ratio will increase
How would the FEV1 and FVC readings and the FEV1/FVC ratio differ in obstructive and restrictive diseases
In obstructive diseases: FEV1 is majorly decreased along with FVC, the ratio is around 40%, much lower than normal lungs. This is because if there is an obstruction it is difficult to get air past that obstruction whether it is in or out
In restrictive diseases: FVC is majorly decreased but FEV1 isnt as there is a problem with filling the lungs not getting the air out, the ratio will be higher than normal lungs
On a HRCT scan what appears white and what appear dark, and why is it needed for ILD diagnosis
The high frequency and high resolution means the pulmonary lobule can be seen
White= high density like bone
Black=low density like air
Describe HRCT patterns
Usual interstitial pneumonia- See honeycomb cysts scattered all over both lungs
Non-specific interstitial pneumonia- not really a honeycomb pattern but small areas of grey/gradient opacity (normally from the edge in)
Organising pneumonia- linear opacities that are closer to the middle ish, large areas of consolidation clumped together in some areas
How is ILD managed in early stages and in later stages
Early stages: pharmacological therapy, patient education, vaccination, stop smoking, treat comorbidities
Late stages: supplemental oxygen, lung transplant, palliative care
What is the name of the condition that causes progressive scarring lung disease of an unknown cause, and what groups are more affected
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
older people, men
In idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, after how long since onset are they more likely to die
can die at any time, has a poor prognosis
How does idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis occur
Happens when the endothelium is damaged, this means type II cells die and release profibrotic factors and the profibrotic macrophages that are associated with the epithelium start to lay down scar tissue causing the accumulation of ECM which prevents gas exchange. This also means that re-epithelialization is disturbed since Type II cells are the cells that act as stem cells for epithelium cells when damage occurs.
what are the predisposing factors of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
Genetic susceptibility: MUSC5B and DSP genes
Environmental trigger: smoke, viruses, pollutants, dust
Cellular ageing: telomere attrition/weakening, ageing in general
All things that can damage the epithelium
Describe how a histological slide of someone with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
Most of the air spaces replaced with scar tissue, thick walled and less airspace, looks honeycomb like, see proliferating fibroblasts too
How does idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis look on a HRCT scan
subpleural honeycombing (more central on axial/horizontal plane, starts at base in coronal plane)
traction bronchiestasis : see larger black circles within the honeycomb
What should not be given to a patient with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
Immunosuppressants (end in prine)
Name two antifibrotics and describe the effect on IPF
Nintedanib and Pifrenidone
slows progression but doesnt cure
Drugs that target fibrotic pathways, target what layer of the lung
Mesenchyme
The layers from inside to out - alveolar space -> epithelium -> mesencyme -> endothelium -> vascular space
What ILD is caused by an immune-mediated response in sensitised and susceptible individuals who inhale environmental allergens
Hypersensitivity pneumonitis
Where in the lung is affected in hypersensitivity pneumonitis
small airways and parenchyma
What are the types of hypersensitivity pneumonitis
Acute: abrupt symptom onset due to intermittent high level exposure, flu like 4-12 hours after exposure, will resolve by itself
Chronic: long term low level exposure
chronic can be nonfibrotic (just inflammatory) or fibrotic
What groups are most affected in hypersensitivity pneumonitis
50-60 years old
less frequent in smokers
difference in antigen exposure- industrial places or agricultural
male and females equal
What causes hypersensitivity pneumonitis
immunological dysregulation- innate immune system processes antigen exposed to.
when antigen inhaled it interacts with APC’s which present to T cell and stimulate Th1 response, neutrophils are present in early stage. B cells are stimulated and produce IgG antibodies, when IgG meets antigen stimulates macrophages which can bundle to make granulomas.
Reg T cell inhibiton and loss of FoxP3 leads to switch to Th2 response which creates a profribrotic environment
How is hypersensitivity pneumonitis diagnosed
Exposure history, circulating IgG antibodies, broncheoalveolar lavage with high lymphocyte count over 30%.
HRCT- will see patches of black where air has been trapped with white surrounding them, the inflammation and the granuloma formation stops air moving out.
Compare and contrast IPF, HP and SSc
IPF- lots are smokers, more men, over 60, see honeycombing in subpleural space (more central in axial CT) and begins at the base of the lung, traction bronchiectasis- the holes in honeycomb large, antifibrotics can slow progression, immunosuppression worsens
HP- will have high lymphocyte count in bronchoalveolar lavage, less frequent in smokers, 50-60 years old, inspiratory sqeaks, IgG antibodies, on HRCT see air trapping and one black circle surrounded by white as granulomas form and trap air, remove antigen, corticosteroids, antifibrotic, immunosuppresants can be used,
How is hypersensitivity pneumonitis treated
Remove and avoid the antigen
corticosterods
immunosuppresants
for fibrotic HP- nintedanib an antifibrotic
What is systemic sclerosis associated ILD , and who does it affect
autoimmune connective tissue disease characterised by immune dysregulation and progressive fibrosis that affects skin and some organs
affects young middle aged women
leads to ILD
In what group of people does SSc ass ILD have the worst prognosis
if an old male who smokes, more than 20% on CT affected and a FVC of less than 70 then have the worst prognosis
What are the clinical features of SSc ass ILD
Sclerodactyly- thickened and tightened skin
Raynauds - finger changes colour
Telengectasias- see capillaries on face
Digital ulcers
Abnormal capillary in nailbed
What are the two types of systemic sclerosis associated ILD
classified based on skin involvement
- limited cutaneous SSc- usually pulmonary hypertension, skin involvement up to elbow or up to knees
- diffuse cutaneous SSC- ILD more common if face and other parts of the body are impacted
What is the pathogenesis of systemic sclerosis associated
tissue injury and vasular injury, b cells instruct plasma cells to make autoantibodies and IL-6, IL-6 recruits fribrocytes
Describe the pattern seen on a HRCT if a patient has systemic sclerosis associated ILD
Non specific interstitial pneumonia pattern
see haziness and scarring, starts from bottom of lung. patterns of gray/opacity from the edge in
how is systemic sclerosis associated ILD managed
depends how bad, monitor every 3-6 months
immunosuppressives used, corticosteroid is controversial as can risk renal crisis
nitendanib and antifibrotic if immunosuppressants dont work bcs they have genetic predisposition or inflammation isnt checked
What groups of people are most likely to get lung cancer, what are some causes
75-90 yrs
males more common
lower socioeconomic status
smoking history or passive smoking
asbestos exposure- plumbers and carpenters etc
radon/radiation e.g. miners
indoor cooking fumes
chronic lung diseases- COPD and fibrosis
Immunodeficiency
familial/genetic
Describe the pathogenesis of lung cancer
can be from differentiated (ciliated, mucus cells) or undifferentiated (basal) cells. Inhaled carcinogens interact with upper and lower airway epithelium to form DNA adducts (DNA bound to carcinogen- cancer causing chemical). When DNA adducts are not repaired or persist then genomic alterations can occur. If this occur in oncogenes or tumour suppressor genes then get uncontrolled cell differentiation
Describe the four types of lung cancer, where in the lung it affects and what history the cancer is associated with
1) Squamous cell carcinoma- bronchial epithelium- central part of airway, smoking related
2) Adenocarcinoma- from mucus producing glandular tissue, more peripherally/outer sides of the lung, low tar cigarettes that have been retained for longer.
3) Large cell cancer- heterogenous group, undifferentiated
These are all grouped as non small lung cancer
4) Small cell lung cancer - from pulmonary neuroendocrine cells, highly malignant
What are the oncogenes that are related to the different lung cancers
Adenocarcinoma:
epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase - found in non smoking asian women. (intracellular side of receptor)
Non-small cell lung cancers:
ALK tyrosine kinase - in younger non smokers
ROS1 receptor tyrosine kinase- younger non smokers
BRAF- especially smokers