Obstructive lung disease Flashcards
Define COPD in general
• progressive, and irreversible condition of the lung characterized by chronic obstruction to
airflow with many patients having periodic exacerbations, gas trapping, lung hyperinflation and
weight loss
• 2 subtypes (chronic bronchitis or emphysema): usually coexist to variable degrees
• gradual decrease in FEV1 over time with episodes of acute exacerbations
How is Chronic Bronchitis defined?
Defined clinically:
Productive cough on most days for at least
3 consecutive months in 2 successive years
Obstruction is due to narrowing of the airway lumen by mucosal thickening and excess mucus
How is emphysema defined?
Defined pathologically:
Dilation and destruction of air spaces distal to the terminal bronchiole
without obvious fibrosis
Decreased elastic recoil of lung parenchyma causes decreased
expiratory driving pressure, airway collapse, and air trapping
What are the (2) pathological types of emphysema?
1) Centriacinar - most common (respiratory bronchioles predominantly affected)
• Typical form seen in smokers, primarily affects upper lung zones
2) Panacinar (respiratory bronchioles, alveolar ducts, and alveolar sacs affected)
• Accounts for about 1% of emphysema cases
α1-antitrypsin deficiency, primarily affects lower lobes
What is the risk factor for COPD?
• SMOKING (#1)
• environmental: air pollution, occupational exposure, exposure to wood smoke or other
biomass fuel for cooking
• treatable factors: α1-antitrypsin deficiency, bronchial hyperactivity
• demographic factors: age, family history, male sex, history of childhood respiratory infections, low socioeconomic status
What are blue bloater and pink puffer?
Bronchitis - Blue Bloater
Emphysema - Pink Puffer
Px of Chronic bronchitis?
Chronic productive cough
Purulent sputum
Hemoptysis
Mild dyspnea initially
Cyanosis (2º to hypoxemia and hypercapnia)
Peripheral edema from RVF (cor pulmonale)
Crackles, wheezes
Prolonged expiration if obstructive
Frequently obese!! (c.f. emphysema)
Px of emphysema
Dyspnea (± exertion) Minimal cough Tachypnea Decreased exercise tolerance
Pink skin Pursed-lip breathing Accessory muscle use Cachectic!! appearance due to anorexia and increased work of breathing Hyperinflation/barrel chest, hyperresonant percussion Decreased breath sounds Decreased diaphragmatic excursion
Pulmonary function test of Chronic bronchitis vs. Emphysema
Chronic bronchitis:
low FEV1, low FEV1/FVC
N TLC, low or N DLCO
Emphysema: low FEV1, low FEV1/FVC high TLC (hyperinflation) high RV (gas trapping) low DLCO
CXR of chronic bronchitis vs. emphysema
Chronic bronchitis:
- AP diameter normal
- High bronchovascular markings
- Enlarged heart with cor pulmonale
Emphysema:
- high AP diameter
- Flat hemidiaphragm (on lateral CXR)
- low heart shadow
- high retrosternal space
- Bullae
- low peripheral vascular markings
Ideal O2 sat for chronic CO2 retainers
88-92%
to prevent Haldane effect and decreased
respiratory drive.
retainers have chronically elevated CO2 levels with a normal pH.
What is alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency
Inherited disorder of defective production of a1-antitrypsin, a protein
produced by hepatocytes.
Acts in the alveolar tissue by INHIBITING the action
of PROTEASES from destroying alveolar
tissue.
Hence when low/deficient -> proteases win -> destroy lung alveoli -> emphysema
How do you Rx stable COPD? List (3) for prolonging survival and (2) for symptomatic relief with no mortality benefit
Prolonging survival:
1. Smoking cessation
2 Vaccination (influenza, pneumococcal)
3. Home oxygen (prevents cor pulmonale)
Symptomatic relief
1. Bronchodilators (Inhaled corticosteroids + LABA combination, SABA)
2. Corticosteroids (as combination with LABA)
Others: lung volume reduction surgery, lung transplant, pt education, rehab
Define acute exacerbation of COPD
sustained (>24-48 h) worsening of dyspnea, cough, or sputum production leading to an
increased use of medications
What causes acute exacerbation of COPD?
viral URTI, bacteria, air pollution, CHF, PE, MI must be considered