Differential diagnosis of acute breathlessness Flashcards
1
Q
What can go wrong locally to cause breathlessness?
A
- Lungs
- Airways
- Circulation
2
Q
What can go wrong in terms of capacity(supply) of the gas exchange system to cause breathlessness?
A
- Airways
- Pleura
- Chest wall/diaphragm
- Lungs/alveolar membrane
- Pulmonary circulation
- Systemic circulation
3
Q
What can go wrong with the systemic circulation
A
- Delivery: Heart(pump)
- Pump failure: left ventricular impairment
- Carry capacity: anaemia
4
Q
What could obstruct the airways?
A
Foreign body Inflammation Airway diseases COPD Asthma Asthma-COPD overlap
5
Q
What could go wrong with the pulmonary circulation
A
The vasculature: -pulmonary hypotension Blockage: -pulmonary embolism Supply -Right ventricular impairment
6
Q
What can go wrong with the pleura to cause breathlessness?
A
Pleura:
-Thickening
Pleural cavity:
-Pleural effusion/empyema
7
Q
What can go wrong with the lungs to cause breathlessness?
A
Structural problems: -Pneumothorax -Pleural Parenchyma: -ILD Alevolar sacs/membranes: -Infection -Haemorrhage -oedema
8
Q
What are the main functions of the lungs
A
- Inspiration& expiration
- Semi-permeable membrane for diffusion
9
Q
What can go wrong with the chest wall/diaphragm to cause breathlessness?
A
Muscles impairment: -Central nervous system:ALS/MND -Peripheral nervous system: phrenic nerve palsy Movement impairment: -injuries to chest
10
Q
How can the load cause breathlessness
A
- Issues with oxygen
- issues with co2
- acid-base balance
- infection
