Pulmonary Vascular Disease Flashcards
What 2 diseases does this topic cover?
Pulmonary embolism and hypertension
What is a pulmonary embolism and how does it arise?
A thrombus usually forms in deep veins (DVT) and embolises to the pulmonary arteries
Risk factors for developing a venous thromboembolism?
Trauma Cancer Cardiopulmonary disease Pregnancy Inherited thrombophilia
Symptoms of a Pulmonary Embolism?
Pleuritic chest pain
Acute dyspnoea
Pyrexia
Signs on examination?
Tachycardia and tachypnoea
Hypoxia
Hypotension - Syncopes
Stoney dullness to percusion
Pleural rub heard
List some investigations that are done for a PE?
FBC, Us an Es, D-Dimers Blood gases - reduced PaO2 and PaCO2 CxR ECG CT pulmonary angiogram Echos
Treatment for a PE?
LMWH Warfarin Oral anticoagulants Thrombolysis Pulmonary embolectomy
What is pulmonary hypertension?
Mean pulmonary artery pressure of over 25mmHg
What 2 types of P.HT is there and how common are they?
Primary - rare
Secondary - common especially in elderly - due to underlying disease
What happens if P.HT is left untreated?
P.HT is rapidly progressive and death can occur
Symptoms of P.HT?
Dyspnoea
Chest pain
Syncope
Signs of P.HT?
Elevated JVP
RV heave
Hepatomegaly
Ankle oedema
Loud pulmonary 2nd heart sound
Invesigations for P.HT?
ECGs CxR Echos V/Q scans Right heart caths
What does a right heart cath measure in P.HT?
Pulmonary artery pressure
Wedge pressure
CO
General treatment for P.HT?
Treat the underlying condition - O2, anticoagulants, diuretics
