Clinical Approach to the GI Patient: Atypical Chest Pain and Odynophagia Flashcards
When a patient presents with atypical chest pain, what 3 non-GI things should you rule out first?
MI, pulmonary embolism, aortic dissection
when a patient presents with atypical chest pain, what 3 GI things should you rule out first?
Boerhaave Syndrome, Iatrogenic Esophageal Perforation, and Peptic Ulcer Disease (PUD)
what are the 6 non-life threatening GI causes of atypical chest pain?
GERD, hiatal hernia, nutcracker esophagus, diffuse esophageal spasm, eosinophilic esophagitis, and esophageal impaction
what are the 5 risk factors for MI?
smoking, age, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia
What are the risk factors for atypical presentation of MI?
elderly, female sex, diabetes mellitus
What are 2 examples of atypical presentation of MI?
dyspepsia and epigastric pain
what are the risk factors for PE?
hypercoagulable state
what 4 things could cause a hypercoagulable state?
recent travel, surgery, cancer, genetics
what is the presentation of PE? (4)
sudden onset, pleuritic chest pain, shortness of breath, hypoxia
what might the vital signs look like like in a patient with a PE?
can have hemodynamic collapse–> tachypnea and tachycardia
what are the diagnostics used for PE? (4)
wells criteria, ECG (sinus tach vs S1Q3T3), CTA, lower extremity venous doppler ultrasound
what are the risk factors for aortic dissection? (5)
atherosclerosis, male sex, smoking, age, hypertension
what is the presentation like in a patient with aortic dissection (4)
sudden onset, “tearing or ripping” chest pain, can have some radiation to neck, Syncope
what are some common symptoms of an aortic dissection? (3)
CVA symptoms (hemiparesis), AMS, and “impending doom”
what might the vital signs look like in a patient with aortic dissection? (2)
high or low BP, asymmetrical pulses
what are the diagnostics used for aortic dissection? (2)
CXR with widen mediastinum or CT with contrast (definitive)
what is the etiology of PUD?
defensive factors (gastric mucus, bicarbonate, and prostaglandins) are overwhelmed by gastric acid, pepsin
What could cause the defensive factors to be overwhelmed by gastric acid, pepsin? (3)
H. pylori, NSAIDs or Zollinger Ellison Syndrome
what are the exacerbating factors to PUD? (3)
anxiety/stress, coffee, alcohol
How far do ulcers extend?
ulcers extend through the muscularis mucosa
What could be 2 symptoms of PUD?
epigastric pain, atypical chest pain
How is the epigastric pain seen in PUD described? (4)
gnawing, dull, aching, or “hunger-like”
What is the timing like in PUD?
symptomatic periods (several weeks) with intervals of pain free (months/years)
What is a more significant sign/ symptom of PUD?
Signs of GI bleeding
What are the signs of GI bleeding? (4)
“coffee ground” emesis, hematemesis, melena, hematochezia
What might the physical exam look like in a patient with PUD?
PE often normal in uncomplicated peptic ulcer disease; mild localized epigastric tenderness to deep palpation; hyperactive bowel sounds
PUD can be life threatening when there are complications; what are these complications? (4)
bleeding (erosion into artery), obstruction (from edema), perforation (referred shoulder pain, pneumoperitoneum), gastric adenocarcinoma or MALT-lymphoma
What are the diagnostics used for PUD?
H&H (anemia?), BUN/creatinine (UGIB= increase in BUN), EGD with biopsy (diagnostic and therapeutic)–> exclude malignancy in gastric ulcer; barium x-ray; x-ray/CT/MRI if suspect complication (perforation/obstruction); nasogastric lavage can be considered
what are 4 ways to detect H. pylori? What is the best way? what is the first way?
Fecal antigen test, urea breath test, IgA antibodies in serum, upper endoscopy with gastric biopsy; best= upper endoscopy with gastric biopsy; first: IgA antibodies
how can you confirm eradication of H. pylori? What is generally used?
fecal antigen test and urea breath test; urea breath test is generally used to confirm eradication
how do you treat/manage PUD?
acid suppression (proton pump inhibitor or H2 blocker); eradicate H. pylori; stop smoking (and alcohol); discontinue NSAIDs; endoscopic intervention (for active bleeding)
for gastric ulcers, what should you do for treatment/management?
exclude malignancy (follow endoscopically to healing: EGD with repeat biopsy of ulcer)
what type of disorder is reflux esophagitis?
a motility disorder: ineffective esophageal motility
what is occurring in reflux esophagitis?
the lower esophageal sphincter is allowing stomach acid to reflux
what are the risk factors for reflux esophagitis?
increased abdominal girth/obesity, pregnancy, hiatal hernia/scelroderma/Zollinger-ellison syndrome, fat-rich diet/caffeine/smoking/alcohol
what are the typical symptoms associated with reflux esophagitis?
pyrosis (heartburn), relationship to meals (30-60 minutes after eating), symptoms upon reclining, waterbrash, epigastric abdominal pain, esophageal dysphagia
what are the atypical symptoms/ extraesophageal manifestations of reflux esophagitis?
asthma, laryngitis, chronic cough, aspiration pneumonitis, chronic bronchitis, sleep apnea, dental caries, halitosis, hiccups, and hoarseness
what is the physical exam of someone with reflux esophagitis?
might be normal; epigastric pain? dental caries? hoarseness?
what are the alarming symptoms/features associated with reflux esophagitis?
unexplained weight loss, persistent vomiting (–> dehydration), constant and severe pain, dysphagia/odynophagia, palpable mass or adenopathy, hematemesis, melena, anemia
The alarming features of reflux esophagitis require further evaluation- what is this further evaluation?
endoscopy, directed radiographic abdominal imaging, surgical evaluation
how do you diagnose reflux esophagitis?
clinical: based on presentation, history, and PE; labs to consider: H&H and h.pylori testing
what can be done later to diagnose reflux esophagitis (aka not done initially)?
ambulatory 24-48 h esophageal pH recording and impedance testing; barium x-ray; EGD with biopsy
what if you have a 60 years or older patient presenting with reflux esophagitis symptoms that are not resolving with treatment?
a further workup is need–> EGD and imaging
what is the treatment/management of reflux esophagitis?
Empiric (if no alarm features present)- trial of acid suppression and lifestyle modification; surgical techniques; H.pylori eradication if indicated
what are the acid suppressions used for treatment/management of reflux esophagitis?
antacids, proton pump inhibitors> histamine receptor blockers
what lifestyle modifications can be made to treat reflux esophagitis?
decrease alcohol and caffeine, small low fat meals, bed at an incline, weight reduction, avoidance of smoking, chocolate, fatty food, citrus juices, and NSAIDs