Pulmonary Hypertension & Pulmonary Embolisms Flashcards
What is Cor pulmonale
Impairment of RV function due to respiratory disease
Primary disease of pulmonary arterial vessels [4]
Recurrent PE
Pulmonary vasculitis
Sickle cell anaemia
Altitude sickness
Secondary pulmonary arterial compromise [8]
COPD Parenchymal - pulmonary fibrosis, pneumoconiosis, CF Chronic hypoventilation OSAS Thoracic deformity Alveolar capillary dysplasia Bronchopulmonary dysplasia
What are miscellaneous causes? [3]
Elaborate on conditions that cause chronic hypoventilation > HTN [3]
Systemic sclerosis - cause fibrosis
SLE
Hepatic cirrhosis
Chronic hypoventilation
- Polio
- MG
- MND
Symptoms of pulmonary hypertension [5]
Worsening SOB at rest/exertional, fatigue, syncope
Peripheral edema
Angina type chest discomfort unresponsive to GTN
Haemoptysis
Hepatic congestion
Pulmonary hypertension complications [3]
Right heart failure, SCD
HSM, ascites, peripheral oedema
Pulmonary regurgitation
Problems during childbirth
How do you investigate Cor Pulmonale [5]
CXR ECHO - RV enlarged and dilated pulmonary artery ECG - RVH / RAD / RBBB ECHO to estimate pulmonary pressure V/Q Scan CT pulmonary angiogram (diagnostic)
A1AT deficiency
Autoab (CTD)
Thrombophilia (chronic VTE)
Spirometry (COPD)
Pathophysiology of cor pulmonale [4]
- VQ mismatch
- Chronic hypercapnia and respiratory acidosis
- Anatomical disruption of pulmonary vascular bed
- Increased blood viscosity
Systemic Examination: cor pulmonale [8]
Cyanosis, plethora Markedly hyper-expanded chest Laboured respiratory effort Systolic bruits over lung fields Marked hepatojugular reflux Hepatomegaly Liver pulsaltility Peripheral pitting edema
Precordial examination: cor pulmonale signs
Left systolic parasternal heave
Elevated JVP
S3 or S4 pan systolic murmur of tricuspid regurgitation
Split S2 with loud pulmonary component
Ejection murmur, sharp ejection click over pulmonary artery
Diastolic pulm regurg murmur over pulmonary artery
Causes of pulmonary arterial hypertension [4]
Heritable
Drug, toxin induced
Secondary to other diseases
Connective Tissue disorders
Causes:
What is an inherited cause?
What diseases can cause secondary pulmonary hypertension [5]
What CTDs can cause? [5]
Genetic: rare autosomal dominant BMPR2 mutation or other mutations
Secondary to:
- HIV
- portal HTN
- congenital heart disease
- schistosomiasis
- chronic haemolytic anaemia
CTD:
- CREST, systemic sclerosis
- Sjogren’s, RA, SLE
What are 3 important investigations in pulmonary hypertension
Right heart catheterisation
ECHO (RV fx, estimate pressure)
Vasoreactivity testing (responsiveness to CCB)
BNP
Who is high risk for PAH?
- Rapid disease progression
- RHF
- Functional class IV
- 6 min walk distance <400m
- Very elevated BNP
- Pericardial effusion and/or significant RV dysfunction on echo, high right atrial pressure and low cardiac index on right heart catheterisation
Management of PAH is dependent on vasoreactivity testing and risk of PAH:
Positive response [2]
Negative response [2]
Low risk PAH [2]
Positive response: CCB eg amlodipine or diltiazem
Negative response but high risk: Prostacyclin analogue given via long term indwelling CVC
Low risk PAH:
- endothelin receptor antagonist eg BOSENTAN
- or PDEi eg SILDENAFIL