Resp Flashcards
how do asthma + COPD differ
asthma - obstructive airway disease with paroxysmal/reversible bronchocontriction
COPD - irreversible obstructive airway disease
how are bronchi in asthma
inflamed, hyper-responsive
what is immunology of asthma
type 1 hypersensitivity reaction - involves IgE
causes mast cell degranulation, releasing histamine
allergen stimulates Th2 cells to produce cytokines (hygiene hypothesis - too clean, immune system not strong)
IL4 = class switch to IgE
IL5 = eosinophil release
IL13 = stimulate mucus secretion
what remodelling occurs in asthma
inflammation causes airway remodelling
bronchial smooth muscle hypertrophy, bronchoconstriction
higher vascular permeability
mucous gland hypertrophy
how does asthma present
wheeze, SOB
diurnal variation - cough worse at night
symptoms worse with exercise or after NSAID
PMH/FH of atopy: asthma, allergic rhinitis, eczema
how does acute asthma attack present
high RR, worsening SOB
hyper-resonant
wheeze, chest tightness
what are different severities of asthma attack
moderate, severe, life-threatening
moderate: PEFR 50-75%
severe: PEFR 33-50%, RR >25, HR >110, can’t complete sentences
life-threatening: PEFR <33%, O2 <92% or PO2 <8kPa, silent chest (as airways too tight, so no air entry), exhaustion (normal CO2 or hypercapnia)
fatal if T2RF (hypoxia + hypercapnia)
what are diagnostic criteria for asthma
PEFR variability >20%
FeNO >40ppb in adult, >35ppb in child
spirometry shows obstructive pattern FEV1/FVC <0.7, with bronchodilator reversibility
how is acute asthma attack managed
O SHIT ME
oxygen if O2 <92% or PO2 <8kPa (aim for 94-98%)
salbumatol + ipatropium bromide nebulised
if severe:
IV hydrocortisone
IV MgSO4
(theophylline - if severe and inadequate response from nebulisers)
escalate
how is chronic asthma managed
conservative = stop smoking, weight loss, avoid triggers, review inhaler technique
medical = SABA -> ICS -> ICS + LTRA -> ICS + LABA -> MART -> specialist referral
what are pink puffer + blue bloater in COPD
pink puffer:
emphysema - enlarged air spaces distal to terminal bronchioles due to destroyed alveolar walls as less elastin
so less SA for gas exchange
blue bloater:
chronic bronchitis - chronic productive cough for 3+ months
mucus gland hypertrophy/hyperplasia, small airway disease
what is pathology of COPD
chronic exposure to noxious chemicals (smoke, air pollution) causes mucus secretion in large+small bronchi
airways narrow from inflammation and fibrosis
chronic bronchitis - neutrophils, CD8-T, macrophages
goblet cell hyperplasia, mucus gland hypertrophy
emphysema from loss of elastin (as excess elastase protein made)
reduces integrity causing alveolar collapse, so dilated airways distal to terminal bronchioles + bullae form (fused alveoli)
how does alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency cause asthma
alpha-1 antitrypsin acts to inhibit neutrophil elastase
since there is A1AT deficient, there is no elastase inhibition
so more elastin destroyed causing alveolar collapse -> emphysema
how does cigarette smoke affect the airway
stops cilia moving, so noxious chemicals not swiped away
prevents WCC from removing bacteria
how does COPD present
chronic bronchitis - chronic productive cough for 3+ months
sputum
SOB on exertion
wheeze, pursed-lip breathing, intercostal recession
hyper-inflated chest, reduced expansion, coarse crackles
why are COPD patients prone to chest infections
damaged lung tissue and obstructive lung disease makes it harder to ventilate lungs
so pathogens are trapped
what are signs of cor pulmonale
R-sided HF secondary to COPD
raised JVP, hepatomegaly, peripheral oedema
chronic hypoxia causes pulmonary artery vasoconstriction, leading to pulmonary HTN
how is COPD classified
depends on FEV1 - 4 stages ranging from <30-80%
what are RF for COPD
smoker, old, male
FH/PMH of A1AT deficiency (autosomal recessive)
what is FEV1/FVC <0.7 with chronic cough but no wheeze/SOB
bronchiectasis - dilated airways that allow pathogen to be trapped in
how is COPD diagnosed + what are investigation results
history/exam + spirometry (FEV1/FVC <0.7 without SABA reversibility)
CXR = hyperinflation, flattened diaphragm, few peripheral vascular markings, bullae
CT chest done if suspecting bronchiectasis or cancer