COPD Flashcards
what is a pack year
number of packs x number of years smoked
20 cigs = 1 pack
what is COPD?
airflow obstruction with little to no reversibility
includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema
what is chronic bronchitis
cough and sputum production on most days for 3 months, of 2 successive years
what is emphysema
enlarged air spaces distal to terminal bronchioles; destruction of alveolar walls
may join together to form a bullae that ruptures and causes a pneumothorax
difference between COPD and asthma
both obstructive diseases but asthma is reversible
what are the causes of COPD
genetics:
- alpha-1-anti-trypisin deficiency (Still need to smoke) = A1AT protects against tissue damage from neurtrophil elastase which is induced by smoking
other gene polymorphisms eg those against metaloproteinases that protect lung against inflammation
active and passive smoking, cannabis, biomass fuels
what are the 3 pathological changes to the lungs and the main features of COPD
goblet cell hyperplasia, causing cough and sputum
airway narrowing causes breathlessness and wheeze
alveolar destruction
main features: bronchoconstriction, musocal oedema and mucosal hypersecretion
pathogenesis of COPD?
epithelial cells allows entry of cig smoke
macrophages and dendritic cells = activation of IS
proteases cause mucus production
damage lungs
fibroblasts scar airways
why do you get type 2 resp failure in COPD?
- loss of elastic recoil
- gas trapping and reduce excretion of CO2
- forms carbonic acid in blood
- progressive CO2 retention = compensation by kidneys reabsorbing more bicarbonate to neutralise it
-but CO2 will always be high and SOB = low oxygen levels
what are the symptoms of COPD?
smoker or ex-smoker >35
exertional breathlessness chronic cough regular sputum production winter exacerbations wheeze
what are the physical signs of COPD
tar staining central cyanosis tachypnea chest hyperexpansion = BARREL SHAPED cor pulmonale wheeze palpable liver edge use of acessory muscle on inspiration
how do you stage COPD
GOLD stages, based on FEV1 ratio
1>80%
2 50-79%
3 30-49%
4<30%
what is the BODE index?
predicts survival in COPD patients, based on FEV1% of predicted, 6 minute walk distance, BMI, and mMRC dyspnea scale
what are the investigations you do for COPD?
spirometry
ABGS
CXR
CT
how are ABGS used in COPD
- always check pH first
- may find both types of resp failure
- after that, check compensation:
- compensated if HCO3 is abnormal; if raised = degree of chronicity but if pH is low it has not compensated
BE = metabolic component? if infection, BE is low