Pulmonary vascular disorders Flashcards
1
Q
What is pulmonary hypertension?
A
- increase in pulmonaray arterial pressure from increased pulmonary vascular resistance
- can be caused by number of factors, all which force the heart’s right side to work harder to pump blood to the lungs. The right chambers may enlarge as they struggle to function, and blood is often forced backward through the tricuspid valve
- pulmonary artery systolic pressure is greater than 30 mm Hg or a pean PAP of more than 20 mm Hg
- poor prognosis especially in setting of cor pulmonale
2
Q
Classification of pulmonary hypertension?
A
- pulmonary arterial hypertension
- pulmonary hypertension secondary to left heart disease (most common)
- pulmonary htn secondary to lung disease/chronic hypoxia
- chronic pulmonary thromboembolic disease
- pulmonary HTN with unclear multifactorial mechanisms
3
Q
What are sxs of pulmonary htn?
A
- dyspnea on exertion (may be at rest in severe cases)
- fatigue
- chest pain (anginal)
- syncope with exertion
- nonproductive cough
4
Q
what are the signs of pulmonary HTN?
A
- narrow splitting of S2 with loud pulmonary component
- R ventricular hypertrophy
- R atrial enlargement
- enlarged central pulmonary arteries on CXR
- JVD
- R sided heart failure sxs: hepatomegaly, and LE edema
5
Q
What should a work up of pulmonary HTN include?
A
- CXR
- CT of chest
- PFTs
- echocardiography with Doppler flow
- R sided cardiac catheterization with vasodilator challenge
- V/Q scanning if suspect disease is from chronic thromboembolic disease
- exclude HIV and collagen vascular disease
6
Q
Tx of pulmonary HTN?
A
- approach depends on underlying cause (tx first)
- vasodilators:
oral Ca channel blockers (1st line)
oral phosphodiasterase inhibitors (sildenafil)
oral endothelin receptor antagonists ( ambrisentan)
continuous infusion of prostacyclin agents (epoprostenol) - supplemental O2 if hypoxemia present
- may require chronic anticoag.
7
Q
What is Cor Pulmonale?
A
- RV systolic and diastolic failure secondary to pulmonary disease or from pulmonary vascular disease
- poor prognosis
- most commonly caused by: pulmonary HTN, COPD, or idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
8
Q
Why does the R side of the heart hypertrophy in Cor Pulmonale?
A
- due to high BP in the pulmonary blood vessels, usually caused by chronic lung disease
9
Q
Sxs of Cor Pulmonale?
A
- chronic productive cough
- exertional dyspnea
- wheezing
- easy fatigability
- weakness
- RUQ pain (Liver is distended)
- dependent edema
10
Q
Signs of Cor Pulmonale?
A
- cyanosis
- clubbing
- distended neck veins
- RV heave or gallop
- prominent lower sternal or epigastric pulsations
- hepatomegaly
- dependent edema
- ascites
- severe lung disease
11
Q
Dx studies for Cor Pulmonale?
A
- Polycythemia secondary to chronic hypoxemia
- SaO2 less than 85% (give O2 and % should increase)
- EKG: may show RAD, peaked P waves, deep S waves in V6, may see Q waves in inferior leads because of vertically placed heart
- PFTs: confirm underlying lung disease
- echo: should show normal LV size and function, RV and RA dilation and RV systolic dysfunction (tricuspid regurg)
- CT or VQ scanning to rule out chronic thromboembolic disease
- serum BNP may be chronically elevated from RV dysfunction
12
Q
Tx of Cor Pulmonale?
A
- tx chronic respiratory failure
- supp O2:
may improve survival, helps to decrease RV after load by reducing pulmonary vascular resistance - manage RHF sxs with:
fluid and salt restrictions, and diuretics (don’t use too much -cause hypotension)
13
Q
Why is it so impt to dx PEs?
A
- 3rd leading cause of death of hospitalized pts
- many cases are missed
- key is prevention and always considering this in DDx when applicable
14
Q
What can cause a PE?
A
- air
- amniotic fluid (during active labor)
- fat (long bone fractures) like the femur
- FBs (talc in IV drug users)
- parasite lungs
- septic emboli: due to IV drug use - vegetation embolizes
- tumor cells: thrombosis in renal vein - travel to lungs
- most common cause is a venous thrombus
15
Q
Where do most of the PEs come from?
A
- 50-70% of pts with PE have lower extremity DVT when evaluated
- calf veins: if localized calf veins rarely travel to the lungs, 20% of thrombi here migrate proximally to popliteal and femoral veins
- ***popliteal and ileofemoral: 50-60% of pts with thrombi here will develop PE (why prophylaxis is so impt)
- emboli usually not single, will find multiple
16
Q
What are the RFs for PEs and DVTs?
A
- Virchow’s triad:
venous stasis
injury to vessel wall
hypercoagulability