Pulmonary Vascular Disease Flashcards
what is a pulmonary embolism?
when a blood clot forms in the venous system, usually in the deep veins in the legs, and embolisms (travels) to the pulmonary arteries
what are the major risk factors for a pulmonary embolism?
> recent major trauma
recent surgery (clotting factors are activated)
cancer
significant cardiopulmonary disease
pregnancy
inherited thrombophilia (factor v leiden)
what causes pleuritic chest pain in a pulmonary embolism?
an isolated small clot an the pulmonary artery causes part of the lung to become infarcted leading to necrosis and infection. the inflamed surface then rubs creating pain during breath. this can cause haemoptysis
what would a cardiac arrest suggest of a pulmonary embolism?
that there is a serious embolism that is blocking the pulmonary artery that leads to the brain.
describe the signs of a pulmonary embolism
> pyrexia > stony dullness to percussion caused by pleural effusion > tachycardia > tachypnoea > hypoxia > hypotension
what is a pulmonary infarction?
death of part of the lung occurring because the artery carrying its blood supply is blocked.
what does an echocardiography show?
if part of the right ventricle is under strain
a v/q scan shows defects in the perfusion of the lungs, what does this suggest?
there is high probability of a pulmonary embolism
what factors does the prognosis of a pulmonary embolism depend on?
age, sex, comorbidity and physiological factors
what treatment can be given to a patient that has suffered a pulmonary embolism?
> 02 > low molecular weight heparin > warfarin > direct oral anti-coagulates > thrombolysis (fibroytic agents) > pulmonary embolectamy
what is pulmonary hypertension?
this is an elevated blood pressure in the pulmonary arterial tree. if there is a mean artery pressure of >25mmHg.
what causes secondary pulmonary hypertension?
> chronic respiratory diseases
> left heart disease
what is chronic thromboembolic pH?
a condition arising after a thrombosis where webs and scar tissues form
what are the symptoms of pulmonary hypertension?
> exertional dyspnoea
chest tightness
exertional presyncope or syncope
what are the signs of pulmonary hypertension?
> elevated JVP (jugular vein pressure) > right ventricle heave > loud pulmonary second heart sound > hepatomegaly > ankle oedema
