DPD2 - SOB Flashcards
Resp: Causes of SOB
A 60 y/o ma presents w/ sudden onset SOB + no cough, sputum or haemoptysis. PMHx: COPD + DHx: symbicort & tiotropium. HR: 110 bpm. O/E: raised JVP, decreased breath sounds, scattered wheeze & creps (R), peripheral oedema + sats 80% on air. Ix: FBC: Hb 85, WCC 12, Plt 300. What is the most likely diagnosis?
- Pneumothorax
- PE
- Airway disease
- Pneumonia
- Pulmonary oedema
- Interstitial lung disease
- Pleural effusion
- Anaemia
- Thyrotoxicosis
- Nerve/muscle disease
Pneumothorax
Sudden onset so you want to exclude PE or pneumothorax. There are no RFs for PE.
COPD is a risk factor for secondary pneumothorax - bullous bursts.
What are the risk factors for PE?
Signs of DVT
Previous DVT/PE
Immobility, surgery, malignancy
What framework can you use to classify DDx of SOB?
Onset:
Seconds
Minutes/hours
Days/weeks
What are the DDx for SOB that came on in seconds?
Pneumothorax
Pulmonary embolism
Foreign body
Anxiety
What are the DDx for SOB that came on in minutes/hours?
Airways (inflammation/obstruction) e.g. Asthma, COPD Chest infection (pus) Acute heart failure (fluid) Pulmonary haemorrhage (blood)
What are the DDx for SOB that came on in days/weeks?
Any of DDx for seconds/days if chronic/not resolving
Interstitial lung disease (pulmonary fibrosis)
Malignancy/large pleural effusion
Neuromuscular
Anaemia/thyrotoxicosis
A 60 y/o ma presents w/ sudden onset SOB + no cough, sputum or haemoptysis. PMHx: COPD + DHx: symbicort & tiotropium. HR: 110 bpm. O/E: raised JVP, decreased breath sounds, scattered wheeze & creps (R), peripheral oedema + sats 80% on air. Ix: FBC: Hb 85, WCC 12, Plt 300. A diagnosis of a R pneumothorax is made and patient is started on oxygen. What is the next most appropriate step in his management?
- Chest drain insertion
- Chest USS
- CPAP
- Observation
- Pleural aspiration
Chest drain insertion
What are the two types of pneumothorax?
Primary - in patients who do not have lung disease
Secondary - in patients with lung disease e.g. COPD
What is the Tx for a primary pneumothorax?
If < 2 cm, reassure + discharge, repeat CXR
If > 2 cm/SOB, aspiration. If fails: chest drain
What is the Tx for a secondary pneumothorax?
If < 2 cm, aspiration
If > 2 cm, chest drain in 2nd ICS + MCL using a 3-4 cm 16 French gauge needle
A 60 y/o ma presents w/ sudden onset SOB + no cough, sputum or haemoptysis. PMHx: COPD + DHx: symbicort & tiotropium. HR: 110 bpm. O/E: raised JVP, decreased breath sounds, scattered wheeze & creps (R), peripheral oedema + sats 80% on air. Ix: FBC: Hb 85, WCC 12, Plt 300. A diagnosis of a R pneumothorax is made and patient is started on oxygen. A chest drain is performed. What medication should you prescribe?
Analgesia e.g. 2% lidocaine
A 47 y/o woman presents w/ acute SOB + pleuritic chest pain. PMHx: DVT. O/E: O2 saturation 78% on air; HR 110; BP 120/80 mmHg; raised JVP; vesicular BS. What is the most likely diagnosis?
Pulmonary Embolism (PE) Acute onset + Hx of DVT + raised JVP
A 47 y/o woman presents w/ acute SOB + pleuritic chest pain. PMHx: DVT. O/E: O2 saturation 78% on air; HR 110; BP 120/80 mmHg; raised JVP; vesicular BS. A diagnosis of PE is made. She is started on high flow oxygen and CXR does not show pneumothorax. What would her ECG show?
S1, Q3, T3
Potentially right axis deviation + RBBB (indicates right heart strain)
What is a quick way of determining if there is axis deviation looking at an ECG?
- Is lead I or lead II overall negative? If yes, then there is axis deviation
- Is aVL overall positive? If yes, Left axis deviation. If no, right axis deviation
A 47 y/o woman presents w/ acute SOB + pleuritic chest pain. PMHx: DVT. O/E: O2 saturation 78% on air; HR 110; BP 120/80 mmHg; raised JVP; vesicular BS. A diagnosis of PE is made. She is started on high flow oxygen and CXR does not show pneumothorax. What is the next most appropriate step of her management?
- LMWH
- BiPAP
- Warfarin
- Thrombolysis
- Furosemide
LMWH administered when PE is suspected. CTPA to confirm diagnosis and then warfarin started. However, LMWH must still be continued for a few days as warfarin has a paradoxical procoagulant effect (inhibits protein C&S)