Pulmonary Flashcards
Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH or PH):
-Define
-Pathophysiology
Pulmonary HTN (PH): *continuous high BP in pulmonary arteries (mean pulmonary arterial pressure = mPAP > 25mmHg in setting of normal fluid status)
Pathophysiology: imbalance with increased vasoconstrictor (ex. endothelian-1, thromboxane A2) and decreased vasodilator (ex. prostacyclins) substances
-Can have imbalances of cell proliferation and apoptsosi in walls of pulmonary arteries
-Can have increasing amounts of pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells, causing walls to thicken and form scar tissue (vasoproliferation)
Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH or PH):
-Classifications
-Symptoms
Classifications:
-Primary/idiopathic (Group 1 PAH): no identified cause
-Group 2-5: secondary causes –> focus on treating the underlying cause (ex. Group 2 = pulmonary venous HTN, Group 3 = hypoxia or chronic lung diseases, Group 4 = chronic thromboemoblic PH from PE, Group 5 = conditions that do NOT fit above categories)
Symptoms: fatigue, dyspnea, chest pain, syncope, edema, tachycardia, Raynaud’s syndrome
Drugs that cause pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) - less common in general
- Cocaine
- Fenfluramine
- Methamphetamine/amphetamine
- SSRIs during pregnancy (risk in newborn)
- Weight-loss drugs (diethylpropion, phendimetrazine, phentermine)
Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH): non-pharmacological therapy
NOT very effective
-Restrict Na-restricted diet (<2.4 grams/day) to manage volume status
-Avoidance of NSAIDs that can increase Na and water
-Routine immunization against influenza and pneumonia
-High altitudes may contribute to hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction –> O2 supplementation
Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH):
-What is used to confirm diagnosis and drugs?
-What are the next steps to determining therapy?
-Supportive therapy
Confirm diagnosis: right heart catheterization where short-acting vasodilators (ex. inhaled nitric oxide, IV epoprostenol, or IV adenosine) administered for vasoactivity testing
Determining Therapy:
-Reactor to vasodilator: PO CCB - typically long-acting nifedipine, diltiazem, and amlodipine (AVOID verapamil due to more pronounced negative inotropic effects)
-if NOT sustained response in responder, begin 1-2 PAH-approved drugs
-Non-responder to vasodilator: begin therapy w/ 1-2 PAH-approved drugs that are more potent vasodilators (PDE-5is, endothelin receptor antagonists, solubule guanlyate cyclase stimulators, or prostaglandin analogues - PGs for most severe cases)
Supportive Therapy:
-Loop diuretics for volume overload
-Digoxin to improve CO or control HR in Afib
-Warfarin preferred agent if anticoagulant needed (goal INR: 1.5-2.5 - lower goal than typical warfarin use)
-Transplantation
Prostacyclin Analogues (“Prostanoids”) and Receptor Agonists:
-Drugs/Brands
-MOA
-TX
Drugs: epoprostenol (Flolan), treprostinil (Remodulin, Tyvaso, Orenitram), illoprost (Ventavis), selexipag (Uptravi)
MOA: potent vasodilators of both pulmonary and systemic vascular beds and inhibitors of PLT aggregation
TX: pulmonary HTN - non-responder to vasodilator or refractory to CCB
Prostacyclin Analogues (“Prostanoids”) and Receptor Agonists:
-ROA
-Dosing considerations
-Administration considerations
ROA:
-Continuous IV infusion at home: epoprostenol, treprostinil (can be SC)
-IV infusion: selexipag
-Inhalation: illoprost, treprostinil
-PO: treprostinil, selexipag
Dosing: infusions are dosed as NG/kg/min
Administration:
-Parental agents are very potent vasodilators: avoid interruptions and sudden, large dose reductions
-Due to short T1/2 of epoprostenol (6 min) and parenteral treprostinil (4 hours), immediate access to backup pump, infusion sets, and medication is essential
-Epoprostenol: must protect from light before reconstitution and during infusion
-Reconstituted Flolan require ice packs for stability
Prostacyclin Analogues (“Prostanoids”) and Receptor Agonists:
-AVEs
-Warnings
-CIs
-DDIs
AVEs: hypotension, flushing, jaw pain, HA, dizziness, N/V/D, edema, musculoskeletal pain, tachycardia, flu-like syndrome, anxiety, tremor, thrombocytopenia
-SQ/IV infusions: infusion-site pain, especially SC treprostinil
-Inhalations (treprostinil, iloprost): cough, mouth/throat irritation
Warnings:
-Vasodilation rxns (hypotension, flushing, HA, dizziness)
-Rebound PH (w/ interruption or large decreases in dose) which can be fatal
-Increased risk of bleeding
-Chronic IV infusions: sepsis and bloodstream infections (use sterile technique and education pts about infusion site care)
-Treprostinil: oral tablet does NOT dissolve (ghost tablet) and can lodge in diverticulum
CIs:
-Epoprostenil: HF with LVEF
-Treprostinil (PO): severe hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh Class-C)
DDIs:
-Effects of anti-hypertensives, antiplatelets, and anticoagulants can be enhanced
-Treprostinil levels increased by CYP2C8 inhibitors (gemfibrozil) and decreased by inducers (rifampin) –> avoid strong inhibitors w/ selexipag
Endothelin Receptor Antagonists:
-Drugs/Brands
-MOA
-ROA
-TX
Drugs: bosentan (Tracleer), ambrisentan (Letairis), macitentan (Opsumit)
MOA: block endothelin receptors on pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells, which prevents enodethelin exerting its vasoconstrictive effects
ROA: PO
TX: pulmonary hypertension (vasodilator non-responder or refractory to CCBs)
Endothelin Receptor Antagonists:
-AVEs
-Warnings
-CIs
-BBW
-DDIs
AVEs: HA, URTIs (ex. nasal congestion, cough, bronchitis), flushing, hypotension
Warnings: hepatotoxicity, decreased Hgb/Hct, fluid retention (ex. pulmonary edema, peripheral edema), decreased sperm counts, hypersensitivity rxns (bosentan)
CIs: pregnancy, use w/ cyclosporine or glyburide (bosentan), idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (ambrisentan)
BBWs: teratogenic (negative pregnancy test prior to and monthly thereafter), hepatotoxicity (bosentan)
-Available ONLY through REMS program: pharmacies, patients, and prescribers must enroll (only female patients required)
DDIs:
-Bosentan: substrate and inducer of CYP3A4 and 2C9; can decrease effectiveness of hormonal contraceptives
-Ambrisentan: substrate of CP3A4 (major), 2C19 (minor), and P-gp - limit dose w/ cyclosporine
-Macitenant: substrate of CYP3A4 (major) and 2C19 (minor)
Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension
-Drugs/Brands
-MOA
-ROA
Drugs: sildenafil (Revatio, Viagra for ED), tadalafil (Adcirca, Cialis for ED/BPH)
MOA: increase cGMP concentrations, leading to pulmonary vasculature relaxation and vasodilation
ROA: PO
Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension:
-AVEs
-Warnings
-CIs
-DDIs
AVEs: HA, epistaxis, flushing, dyspepsia, extremity or back pain, N/D
Warnings: hearing loss (w/ or w/o tinnitus and dizziness), vision loss (rare, but due to nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy = NAION), hypotension, pripaism (seek emergency care if > 4 hours), pulmonary edema
CIs:
-Avoid use w/ nitrates or riociguat
-Revatio: avoid taking w/ PIs
DDIs: major substrates of CYP3A4 (avoid strong inhibitors or inducers)
-do NOT give with other PDE5is for ED
-do NOT use w/ nirtates (hypotension)
-Caution w/ alpha-1 blockers or other antihypertensives (hypotension) –> when tadalafil used, alpha 1-blockers NOT recommended for comorbid BPH
-Alcohol can enhance hypotension
Riociguat:
-Brand
-MOA
-ROA
-TX
Brand: Adempas
MOA: soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) stimulator - sensitizes sGC to endogenous nitric oxide to increase cGMP for relaxation and antiproliferative effects in pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells
ROA: PO
TX: pulmonary arterial hypertension (non-responder to vasodilator or refractory to CCBs), chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH)
Riociguat:
-AVEs
-Warnings
-CIs
-BBW
-DDIs
AVEs: HA, dyspepsia, dizziness, N/V/D
Warnings: hypotension, bleeding, pulmonary edema
CIs: pregnancy, use with PDE-5is or nitrates
BBW: teratogenic (negative pregnancy test prior and monthly thereafter) –> available only through REMS program where prescribers, pharmacies, and female pts must enroll
DDIs: Major substrate of CYP3A4, 2C8, and P-gp
-do NOT use with nitrates (hypotension)
-Smoking increases clearance and dose may need to be decreased with smoking cessation
-Separate from antacids by >1 hour
Pulmonary Fibrosis:
1. Scared and damaged lung tissue with most common presentation as ___________.
- Drugs that can cause pulmonary fibrosis
- What two drugs are available for idopathic pulmonary fribrosis?
1. Exertional dsypnea
2. Amiodarone, dronedarone, bleomycin, busulfan, carmustine
- pirfenidone (Esbriet) and nintedanib (Ofev) - slow rate of decline in lung function
-May use PAH drugs ass off-label
Asthma:
-Pathophysiology
-Symptoms
Pathophysiology: chronic airway inflammation and bronchoconstriction, causing expiratory airflow limiation (REVERSIBLE with medications and sometimes spontaneously)
-Activation of inflammatory mediators: histamine, leukotrienes, cytokines
-Increase in inflammatory cells: mast cells, eosinophils
-Genetic predispositions mediated by IgE or seere eosinophilic asthma (require specialized medications beyond routine inhalers)
Symptoms: wheezing, SOB, chest pain, coughing
Asthma: Common Triggers
Environmental: pollution, cigarettes/secondary smoke exposure, cold air/changes in weather, petes, dust/pollen, cockraoches, perfume/cosmetics
Drugs: ASA, NSAIDs, non-selective beta-blockers
Comorbid conditions: infections (colds/viruses), allergic rhinitis, GERD, obesity, obstructive sleep apnea, anxiety, stress, depression
Asthma: Diagnosis
Measure baseline FEV1 w/ spirometry –> give albuterol –> measure post-bronchodilatory FEV1 (an FEV1 increase >12% post-bronchodilator is consistent with asthma)
-Forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1): how much air can be forcefully exhaled in one second
-Forced vital capacity (FVC): maximum volume of air exhaled after taking deep breath
-FEV1/FVC: precentage of total air capacity (“vital capacity”) that can be forcefully exhaled in one seoncd
Other tests: fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) and peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR)
Asthma: General TX Basics
1. What are the main asthma guidelines?
- What is the long-term goal?
- How can risk factors be controlled
- Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) and NHLBI’s Expert Panel Report (EPR)
- Reducing impairment (ex. symptoms, frequency of rescue inhaler use, limitations to activity) and risks (ex. exacerbations, hospitalizations)
3. Smoking cessation or avoid tobacco smoke, physical activity should NOT be avoided, identify triggers and avoid if possible, treat comorbid conditions, vaccinations (influenza, COVID, pneumonia), potential desensitizing to allergens
Asthma: General TX Basics
*1. Initial treatment is based on frequency of daytime symptoms and nighttime awakenings. Per frequency of these, state what step patient would be on. *
2. After initial treatment is selected, follow up is done in about 2-6 weeks. What should be assessed then?
- -Step 1: <2x/month daytime, NO nighttime
-Step 2: >/=2x/month, but <4-5 weeks daytime, NO nightime
-Step 3: most days have daytime symptoms, nighttime awakenings: >/=1x/week
-Step 4: daily daytime symptoms, nighttime awakenings: >/=1x/week
- -Adherence, inhaler technique (technique, priming, cleaning)
-Assess control of risk factors, triggers, and comorbid conditions
-Review asthma action plan
-Assess pt control/severity and step up, maintain, or step down treatment (do NOT step up until other factors have been addressed)
Asthma: Rescue drug options and their considerations
Preferred: Low-dose inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) + formoterol combination inhaler
-Formoterol: long-acting, but FAST onset that can reduce risk of exacerbations
-Used intermediately PRN for symptoms
Other options:
1. Inhaled short-acting beta-2 agonist (SABA)s - PRN for symptoms, quickly reverses bronchoconstriction, do NOT treat underlying condition (pt needs an ICS)
- Systemic steroids - injections during exacerbations, PO for exacerbations or severe asthma that is difficult to control with other drug combinations, limit due to adverse events
- Inhaled epinephrine (Primatene Mist) - available OTC for mild asthma only (NOT included in guidelines)
- Inhaled short-acting muscarinic antagonists (SAMAs) - in combo w/ SABAs during exacerbations
Asthma: Maintenance TX options
First-line for ALL patients: inhaled corticosteroids (ICSs)
Other options (add ons):
1. Inhaled long-acting beta-2 agonists (LABAs): should NEVER use alone due to increased risk of serious adverse outcomes, preferred add-on to ICS
- Oral leukotriene receptor antagonists (LTRAs): add-on, most commonly in children
- Theophylline (PO or IV): least desriable add-on due to signifcant AVEs, DDIs, and need to monitor drug concentrations
- Inhaled long-acting muscarinic antagonists (LAMAs): add-on for hx of excarbetaions despite ICS/LABA
- Injectable monoclonal antibodies (SC or IV): add-on in persistent severe asthma
-Omalizumab: severe allergic asthma
-Mepolizumab, reslizumab, benralizumab, and dupilumab for severe eosinophilic asthma
-Tezeplumab: severe asthma regardless of eosinophil counts or biomarkers)
Asthma: GINA TX Algorithm (Step 1-5 therapy options)
Step 1 (Intermittent Asthma): Rescue inhaler: PRN low dose ICS-formoterol OR SABA + low-dose ICS
Step 2 (Mild Persisent Asthma):
-Option 1: PRN low-dose ICS-formoterol
-Option 2: SABA OR ICS-SABA (rescue) + low-dose ICS (maitenance)
Step 3 (Moderate Persisent Asthma):
-Option 1: low-dose ICS-formoterol (rescue) + low-dose ICS-formoterol (maintenance)
-Option 2: SABA OR ICS-SABA (rescue) + low-dose ICS LABA (maintenance)
Step 4 (Severe Persistent Asthma):
-Option 1: low-dose ICS-formoterol (rescue) + medium-dose ICS formoterol (maintenance)
-Option 2: SABA OR ICS-SABA (rescue) + medium-dose ICS LABA (maitenance)
Step 5 (Refer for Assessment):
-Option 1: low-dose ICS-formoterol (rescue) + high-dose ICS formoterol (maintenance)
-Option 2: SABA or ICS-SABA (rescue) + high-dose ICS LABA
Asthma: After a patient has been on inhalers, determine how to maintain, step up, or step down therapy.
Assessment:
1. Daytime asthma symptoms > 2x/week?
2. Any nighttime awakenings from asthma?
3. SABA reliever TX used >2x/week?
4. Activity limited due to asthma?
Well-controlled: no questions answered yes –> maintain current step and step down if controlled for >/= 3 months
Partly controlled: 1-2 questions answered yes –> step up 1 step
Uncontrolled: 3-4 questions answered yes –> step up 1-2 steps and consider short course of oral steroids