Respiraconservative 2 Flashcards
What is chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)?
Non-reversible long-term deterioration in air flow through the lungs, caused by damage to lung tissue
Describe the epidemiology of COPD
Symptoms usually present between 40-60
What is the main cause of COPD?
Smoking
What are 6 risk factors for COPD?
- Smoking2. Age3. Second-hand smoke exposure4. Occupational exposure (mining/dust/cottonwood)5. Pollution (heating fuel/outdoor pollutants)6. Genetics (A1AT deficiency)
Describe the pathophysiology of COPD
- Obstructed airflow through the airways increases the difficulty ventilating the lungs- = short of breath and prone to infection
What are the 2 main types of COPD?
- Chronic bronchitis2. Emphysema
What is chronic bronchitis?
Hypertrophy and hyperplasia of mucus glands and infiltration of chronic inflammation cells into the bronchi
What is emphysema?
Destruction of elastin layer in ducts, alveoli and respiratory bronchioles
What is alpha-1-antitrypsin (A1AT) and what does it do?
- Protease inhibitor made in the liver- Inhibits neutrophil elastase (enzyme that digests connective tissue)- Function to protect the lungs from damage caused by infection, inflammation and smoking
How does an A1AT deficiency affect the liver?
- Mutant A1AT builds up- Causes tissue damage= cirrhosis and HCC (hepatocellular carcinoma)
How does an A1AT deficiency affect the lungs?
- Lack of normal A1AT- = excess protease enzymes- Lung tissue attacked
What is IE COPD?
Infective exacerbations COPD - when patients experience exacerbations due to infection
Describe the pathophysiology of chronic bronchitis
- Hypertrophy and hyperplasia of mucus glands- Infiltration of chronic inflammation cells (e.g. macrophages/lymphocytes) into the bronchi- Causes mucous secretion, ciliary dysfunction and a narrowed lumen
Describe the pathophysiology of emphysema
- Destruction of elastin layer in ducts, alveoli and respiratory bronchioles- Air trapping distal to blockage, causing bullae- Centriacinar emphysema is the most common (affects respiratory bronchioles - due to smoking)
What are 7 typical presentations of COPD?
- Typically a long-term smoker2. Finger clubbing3. Shortness of breath4. Cough5. Sputum production6. Wheeze7. Recurrent respiratory infections
How does IE COPD present?
Acute worsening of symptoms
What are 8 clinical presentations of chronic bronchitis?
- Chronic productive cough with purulent sputum2. Dyspnoea3. Cyanosis (may develop pulmonary HTN)4. Peripheral oedema5. Obesity6. Haemoptysis7. Rhonchi (large airway sounds)8. Wheezing
What are 8 clinical presentations of emphysema?
- Dyspnoea/tachypnoea2. Minimal cough3. Pink skin, pursed-lip breathing4. Accessory muscle use5. Cachexia (weakness/wasting of body)6. Hyperinflation (barrel chest)7. Weight loss8. Quiet chest
What are 6 clinical presentations of an A1AT deficiency in the liver?
- Tiredness2. Loss of appetite3. Weight loss4. Oedema5. Jaundice6. Haematemesis/blood in stool
What are 5 clinical presentations of an A1AT deficiency in the lungs?
- SOB2. Excessive cough with sputum production3. Wheeze4. Decreased exercise capacity/persistent fatigue5. Chest pain (worse on inhalation)
Describe the MRC dyspnoea scale
Allows patients to describe the extent to which their breathlessness affects their mobility:- Grade 1 = breathless on strenuous exercise- Grade 2 = breathless on walking up hill- Grade 3 = breathless that slows on flat- Grade 4 = stop to catch breath after 100m walking on flat- Grade 5 = unable to leave the house due to breathlessness
What are 7 investigations for patients with COPD?
- Spirometry = FEV1/FVC <0.72. FEV1 (stage 1 >80%, stage 4 <30% predicted value)3. CXR (exclude lung cancer and other pathologies)4. FBC (chronic hypoxia –> polycythaemia)5. BMI (weight loss)6. ECG (if cardiac concerns)7. Serum A1AT levels
What are 4 investigations for patients with IE COPD?
- ABG:- CO2 retention –> acidosis- T1RF = normal pCO2 + low pO2- T2RF = high pCO2 + low pO22. CXR3. FBC4. U&E
What are 4 investigations for patients with an A1AT deficiency?
- Serum A1AT levels (low)- Liver biopsy (cirrhosis, mutant protein in hepatocytes)- Genetics (A1AT mutant gene)- CT thorax (bronchiectasis, emphysema)
What is an investigation for patients with chronic bronchitis?
FBC - elevated haemoglobin
What is an investigation for patients with emphysema?
CXR = hyperinflation with flattened diaphragms
What is the general treatment for COPD?
- Smoking cessation- Pneumococcal vaccine- Annual flu vaccine
What is step 1 treatment for COPD?
- SABA e.g. salbutamol, terbutaline- SAMA e.g. ipratropium bromide
What is step 2 treatment for COPD?
If no asthmatic/steroid response:- LABA e.g. salmeterol- LAMA e.g. tiotropiumIf asthmatic/steroid response:- LABA e.g. salmeterol- ICS e.g. budesonide
What is an asthmatic/steroid response?
Responds well to salbutamol
What is step 3 treatment for COPD?
Long term oxygen therapy (LTOT)
What is the treatment for IE COPD?
Steroids (hydrocortisone/prednisolone) + nebulised bronchodilators (salbutamol/ipratropium bromide) + antibiotics
What is the treatment for severe IE COPD?
- IV aminophylline (bronchodilator)- Non invasive ventilation (NIV):- Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP)- Bilevel positive airway pressure (BIPAP)
What is the treatment for A1AT deficiency?
- Smoking cessation- Symptomatic treatment (inhalers, O2 therapy)- Organ transplant for end stage liver/lung disease- Augmentation (replacement)- Monitor for HCC
What is a complication of emphysema?
Pneumothorax due to bullae
What is a complication of A1AT deficiency?
Liver cirrhosis/HCC
What is the difference between COPD and asthma?
COPD = actual damage to lungsAsthma = bronchoconstriction (in response to something)
What is asthma?
Chronic inflammatory condition of the airways causing episodes of reversible airway obstruction due to bronchoconstriction and excessive secretion production
What are 6 triggers of asthma?
- Cold air2. Exercise3. Cigarette smoke4. Air pollution5. Allergens (pollen/cats/dogs/horses/mould)6. Time of day (early morning/night)
What are 4 risk factors for asthma?
- Atopy (genetic tendency/family/personal history to develop allergic diseases e.g. eczema, asthma, hayfever)2. Low birth weight3. Not breastfed4. Exposure to allergens (e.g. housedust/mites/pollen/smoke)
Describe the pathophysiology of asthma
- Smooth muscles of bronchi contract (bronchoconstriction) causing reduction in the diameter of airways- Narrow airways cause an obstruction to airflow going in and out of the lungs- Reversible airway obstruction
What are the 2 types of asthma and what is the difference?
Allergic (70%):- IgE mediated type 1 hypersensitivity reaction- Due to environmental trigger- Often early presentationNon allergic (30%)- Non IgE mediated- Presents later- Associated with smoking
How does asthma typically present?
Episodes of:- Wheeze (widespread, polyphonic)- Dyspnoea- Chest tightness- Dry cough- Diurnal variability
What does a localised wheeze suggest?
Foreign bodies
What are 3 investigations for patients with asthma?
- Spirometry with reversibility testing- FEV1 reduced (<80% predicted value)- FVC normal- FEV1/FVC <0.72. FeNO3 (exhaled nitric oxide):- Adult >40pbb- Children >35pbb3. Peak flow measurement
What is the stepwise treatment for long-term asthma?
- SABA e.g. salbutamol2. ICS e.g. budesonide3. LRTA (leukotriene receptor antagonist) e.g. montelukast4. LABA e.g. salmeterol5. Increase ICS dose
What is the stepwise treatment for acute asthma?
- Oxygen2. Salbutamol nebulisers (SABA)3. Ipratropium bromide nebulisers (SAMA)4. Hydrocortisone IV or oral prednisolone (steroids)5. IV magnesium sulphate6. Aminophylline/IV salbutamol
What is tuberculosis (TB)?
Infectious disease caused by the mycobacterium tuberculosis bacteria
Describe the epidemiology of TB
- More common in non-UK born patients- More common in immunocompromised
Describe mycobacterium tuberculosis bacteria
- Acid fast bacilli with waxy coating - Slow growing- Resistant to phagolysosomal killing and able to remain dormant
What does acid-fastness mean?
Resistant to acids in gram staining
What are 5 risk factors for TB?
- Known contact with active TB2. Immigrants from areas of high TB prevalence3. People with relatives or close contacts from countries with a high rate of TB4. Immunosuppression due to HIV, immunosuppressant medications etc.5. Homeless people/drug users/alcoholics
Describe the pathophysiology of TB
- Alveolar macrophages ingest bacteria and rods proliferate inside- Drain into hilar lymph nodes –> present antigen to T lymphocytes –> cellular immune response- Delayed hypersensitivity reaction –> tissue necrosis and granuloma formation
How is TB spread?
Inhaling saliva droplets from infected people (airborne infection)
Where is the most common site for TB?
Lungs
What are 8 other sites for TB (extrapulmonary TB)?
- Lymph nodes2. Pleura3. CNS4. Pericardium5. GI system6. GU system7. Bones/joints8. Skin (cutaneous TB)
What is active TB?
- Active infection- Majority of cases = immune system is able to kill and clear infection
What is latent TB?
Immune system encapsulates sites of infection and stops the progression of the disease
What is secondary/reactivated TB?
Latent TB reactivates
What is miliary TB?
- Immune system is unable to control the disease- Causes a disseminated, severe disease
What are the 4 main clinical presentations of TB?
- Cough (with or without haemoptysis)2. Fever3. Night sweats4. Weight loss
What are 6 investigations for patients with TB?
- Ziehl-Neelsen stain2. Mantoux test3. Interferon-gamma release assay (IGRA)4. CXR5. Bacterial cultures6. Nucleic acid amplification test
How does TB appear on Ziehl-Neelsen stains?
Bright red/pink against blue background
What is a mantoux test?
- Test for latent TB- Looks for previous immune response to TB- Inject tuberculin (collection of TB proteins) into intradermal space on forearm- Creates a bleb- Positive result = induration of >5mm
What is interferon-gamma release assay (IGRA)?
- Used to confirm a diagnosis of latent TB- Sample of blood taken and mixed with antigens from TB bacteria- Patients with previous contact with TB will release interferon-gamma (from WBCs) as part of the immune response = positive result
What does a CXR look like in patients with primary TB?
Patchy consolidation, pleural effusions and hilar lymphadenopathy
What does a CXR look like in patients with reactivated/secondary TB?
- Patchy/nodular consolidation- Cavitation (gas filled space in lungs) in upper cavity
What does a CXR look like in patients with disseminated/miliary TB?
Picture of ‘millet seeds’ uniformly distributed throughout lung fields
What do bacterial cultures and nucleic acid amplification tests test for in TB?
Cultures = tests for resistance to antibioticsNucleic acid = looks for TB DNA
What is the treatment for latent TB?
Only needed if risk of reactivation:- Isoniazid and rifampicin for 3 months- Isoniazid for 6 months
What is the treatment for acute pulmonary TB?
RIPE:R - rifampicin for 6 monthsI - isoniazid for 6 monthsP - pyrazinamide for 2 monthsE - ethambutol for 2 months
What is the BCG vaccine?
- Given to patients that are at higher risk of contact with TB- Intradermal infection of live attenuated TB- Offers protection against severe and complicated TB- Less effective against pulmonary TB
What are 2 side effects of rifampicin?
- Red/orange discolouration of secretions e.g. urine, tears2. Induced of cytochrome P450 enzymes (reduces the effect of drugs metabolised by this system e.g. COC)
What is a side effect of isoniazid?
- Can cause peripheral neuropathy- Pyridoxine (vitamin B6) usually co-prescribed prophylactically to reduce the risk of peripheral neuropathy
What is a side effect of pyrazinamide?
Can cause hyperuricaemia –> gout
What is a side effect of ethambutol?
Can cause colour blindness and reduced visual acuity
What are rifampicin, isoniazid and pyrazinamide all associated with?
Hepatotoxicity
What is pneumonia?
Infection of lung tissue (acute lower respiratory tract infection)
What are the 2 most common causes of pneumonia?
- Streptococcus pneumoniae (50%)2. Haemophilus influenza (20%)
What are 3 other types of pneumonia?
- Moraxella catarrhalis (in immunocompromised patients or those with chronic pulmonary disease)2. Pseudomonas aeruginosa (in patients with CF or bronchiectasis)3. Staphylococcus aureus (in patients with CF)
What is Legionella pneumophila (Legionnaire’s disease)?
- Type of atypical pneumonia- Caused by infected water supplies or air conditioning units- Presents with hyponatraemia (as it causes SIADH)
What is Coxiella burnetii (a.k.a Q fever)?
- Type of atypical pneumonia- Linked to exposure to animals and their bodily fluids (e.g. a farmer)- Causes flu-like symptoms
What is Chlamydia psittaci?
- Type of atypical pneumonia- Typically contracted from contact with infected birds (e.g. parrots)
Describe the pathophysiology of pneumonia
- Inflammation of lung tissue- Causes sputum to fill airways and alveoli
What are 5 types of pneumonia?
- Community acquired pneumonia (CAP)2. Hospital acquired pneumonia (HAP)3. Aspiration pneumonia4. Pneumocystis pneumonia5. Atypical pneumonia
What is the difference between community acquired pneumonia (CAP) and hospital acquired pneumonia (HAP)?
CAP = developed outside of hospitalHAP = developed more than 48 hours after hospital admission
What is aspiration pneumonia?
Developed as a result of aspiration (inhalation of foreign material e.g. food)
What is pneumocystis/fungal pneumonia (PCP)?
- Pneumocystis jiroveci (PCP)- Occurs in immunocompromised patients e.g. HIV patients
What is atypical pneumonia?
Caused by an organism that cannot be cultured in the normal way or detected using a gram stain
What are 5 types of atypical pneumonia?
- Legionella pneumophila (Legionnaire’s disease)2. Mycoplasma pneumonia3. Chlamydophila pneumoniae4. Coxiella burnetii (a.k.a Q fever)5. Chlamydia psittaci
What are 7 clinical presentations of pneumonia?
- SOB2. Cough with sputum production3. Fever4. Haemoptysis5. Pleuritic chest pain (sharp chest pain worse on inspiration)6. Delirium (acute confusion associated with infection)7. Sepsis
What are 3 characteristic chest signs of pneumonia?
- Bronchial breath sounds (harsh breath sounds equally loud on inspiration and expiration)2. Focal coarse crackles (air passing through sputum in airways)3. Dullness to percussion
What causes the characteristic chest signs of pneumonia?
- Bronchial breath sounds = consolidation of lung tissue around airway- Dullness to percussion = lung tissue collapse and/or consolidation
How does fungal/pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP) present?
- Dry cough without sputum- SOBOE- Night sweats
What is mycoplasma pneumoniae?
- Type of atypical pneumonia- Causes a milder pneumonia- Causes a rash = erythema multiforme (varying sized target lesions formed by pink rings with pale centres)- Can cause neurological symptoms
What is Chlamydophila pneumoniae?
- Type of atypical pneumonia- Often in school aged children- Mild to moderate pneumonia and wheeze
What are 4 investigations for patients with pneumonia?
- CXR (shows consolidation)2. FBC (raised WCs)3. U&Es (for urea)4. CRP (raised - may not be raised in immunocompromised)
What are 3 extra investigations for patients with moderate to severe pneumonia?
- Sputum cultures2. Blood cultures3. Legionella and pneumococcal urinary antigens
What is the severity assessment for patients with pneumonia?
CRB-65 (outside of hospital)/CURB-65 (in hospital):C - confusionU - urea >7R - respiratory rate >30B - blood pressure <90 systolic or <60 diastolic65 - age >65
What is the treatment for mild CAP?
- 5 day course of oral antibiotics- Amoxicillin or macrolide (e.g. clarithromycin)
What is the treatment for moderate to severe CAP?
- 7-10 day course of dual antibiotics- Amoxicillin + macrolide (e.g. clarithromycin)
What is the treatment for moderate to severe pneumonia or septic patients?
- Dual antibiotics- Give IV antibiotics first then change to oral antibiotics after improvement
What is the treatment for fungal/pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP)?
Co-trimoxazole
What is the treatment for atypical pneumonia?
- Don’t respond to penicillins- Macrolides (e.g. clarithromycin), fluoroquinolones (e.g. levofloxacin) or tetracyclines (e.g. doxycycline)
What are 5 complications of pneumonia?
- Sepsis2. Pleural effusion3. Empyema4. Lung abscess5. Death
What is cystic fibrosis?
Autosomal recessive genetic condition affecting mucus glands
Describe the epidemiology of CF?
- Around 1 in 25 people are carriers of the mutation- 1 in 2500 children have CF
What is the cause of CF?
Genetic mutation of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulatory (CFTR) gene on chromosome 7 (most common variant is delta-F508 mutation)
Describe the pathophysiology of CF
- The CFTR protein usually secretes Na+ and Cl- ions which makes mucus watery- A defect in this gene prevents water from entering the mucus causing it to be thick
What are the 3 main pathophysiological results of CF?
- Thick pancreatic and biliary secretions that cause blockage of the ducts, resulting in a lack of digestive enzymes2. Low volume thick airway secretions that reduce airway clearance, resulting in bacterial colonisations and susceptibility to airway infections3. Congenital bilateral absence of vas deferens
Which 6 microbial colonisers are most common in patients with CF?
- Staphylococcus aureus2. Pseudomonas aeruginosa3. Haemophilus influenza4. Klebsiella pneumoniae5. Escherichia coli6. Burkhodheria cepacia
Which microbial coloniser is most dangerous to patients with CF?
Pseudomonas aeruginosa (often develops resistance to multiple antibiotics)
What are 11 clinical presentations of CF?
- Recurrent lower respiratory tract infections2. Failure to thrives (poor weight/height gain)3. Pancreatitis4. Chronic cough5. Thick sputum production6. Loose, greasy stools (steatorrhoea)7. Abdominal pain/bloating/distension8. Child tastes particularly salty when parents kiss them9. Nasal polyps10. Finger clubbing11. Crackles and wheeze on auscultation
What are 4 investigations for patients with CF?
- Newborn bloodspot test (heel prick test)2. Meconium ileus3. Sweat test (gold standard)4. Genetic testing for CFTR gene
What is meconium ileus
- 20% of CF patients have a thick and sticky meconium which doesn’t usually pass within 24 hours (as it gets stuck and obstructs the bowel)- Along with abdominal distension and vomiting- Often first sign of CF
What is meconium?
First stool that a baby passes (usually black and within 24 hours of birth)
What is the sweat test?
Gold standard investigation for diagnosing CF- Pilocarpine is applied to a patch of skin- Electrodes are placed either side of the patch and a small current is passed between electrodes- Causes the skin the sweat and sweat is absorbed with gauze or filter paper- It is tested for chloride concentration- CF = chloride conc >60mmol/L
How can genetic testing for the CFTR gene be carried out?
- Amniocentesis or chorionic villus sampling (pregnancy)- Blood test after birth
What is the treatment for CF?
- Chest physiotherapy- Exercise- High calorie diet- CREON tablets (digests fat)- Bronchodilators e.g. salbutamol- Nebulised DNase- Nebulised hypertonic saline- Vaccinations e.g. pneumococcal, influenza and varicella
What is nebulised DNase?
Enzyme that breaks down DNA material in respiratory secretions - makes CF patients’ secretions less viscous and easier to clear
What is done to reduce the risk of microbial colonisers in patients with CF?
- Long-term prophylactic flucloxacillin (for staphylococcus aureus and others)- Patients with CF should avoid contact with each other to reduce the risk of spreading pseudomonas aeruginosa- Long-term nebulised antibiotics e.g. tobramycin or oral ciprofloxacin (for pseudomonas aeruginosa)
What monitoring is undergone for patients with CF?
- Regular monitoring (6 months) of sputum for colonisation of bacteria- Monitoring and screening for diabetes, osteoporosis, vitamin D deficiency, liver failure
What is the median life expectancy for patients with CF?
47 years
What are 5 complications of CF?
- Significantly increased morbidity and mortality if pseudomonas colonisation2. 90% of patients develop pancreatic insufficiency3. 50% of adults develop CF-related diabetes and require insulin4. 30% of adults develop liver disease5. Most males are infertile due to absent vas deferens
What is bronchiectasis?
Chronic respiratory disease characterised by permanent bronchial dilation due to irreversible damage to the bronchial wall