respiratory Flashcards
define chronic with regards to chronic bronchitis
- potential DDx for chronic cough?
a productive cough for 3 consecutive months across 2 consecutive years
DDx - bronchiectasis
COPD: causes?
smoking!!
alpha-1-antitrypsin (inhibits neutrophil elastases)
other: 4 Cs
Cadmium (used in smelting)
Coal
Cotton
Cement
what could be the potential cause in a young pt presenting with features of COPD
alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency
describe how COPD can lead to cor pulmonale
- Chronic hypoxia causes vasocontriction of pulmonary arteries
- This leads to elevated pulmonary arterial pressure.
- The chronic elevation of pulmonary arterial pressure subsequently leads to right heart failure
How does Cor pulmonale present
This presents with classical features including raised JVP, cyanosis, ankle (peripheral) oedema, left parasternal heave due to RV hypertrophy and hepatomegaly
signs of COPD
tachypnoea
barrel chest
coarse crackles
hyperresonance on percussion
pursed lip breathing
loss of cardiac dullness
tar staining
peripheral cyanosis
symptoms of COPD
cough (often productive)
dyspnoea (on exertion)
wheeze
general management of COPD
smoking cessation
ANNUAL influenza vaccine + ONE OFF pneumococcal vaccine
pulmonary rehabilitation (> MRC grade 3 - “functionally disabled” )
what are the asbestos-related lung diseases (5)
pleural plaques
pleural thickening
mesothelioma
asbestosis
lung cancer
pleural plauques
-benign/malignant
-latent period
benign and DO NOT undergo malignant change
latent period 20-40 yrs
seen as discrete circumscribed areas of fibrosis on the parietal pleura
almost always asymptomatic
do not impair lung function
pleural thickening
diffuse pleural fibrosis that follows the pattern of haemothorax or empyema
mesothelioma
- where does it metastasise to
Malignant disease of the pleurathat commonly metastasises to the contralateral lung and peritoneum, affecting the RIGHT LUNG more than the left
does mesothelioma develop with long/short term exposure
short term (around 40 yrs)
management of mesothelioma
palliative chemo
mesothelioma - features
progressive dyspnoea
chest pain
pleural effusions
asbestosis
-which lung lobes are affected
- latent period
- presentation
-treatment
LOWER lobes (opposites - ceiling)
15-30 yrs
dyspnoea, reduced exercise tolerance
conservative
what is the relationship between asbestos and cancer
Asbestos exposure is a risk factor for lung cancer and also has a synergistic effect with cigarette smoke.
what is Lofgren’s syndrome
acute form of the disease characterised by bilateral hilar lymphadenopathy (BHL), erythema nodosum, fever and polyarthralgia
features of acute sarcoidosis
swinging fever
polyarthralgia
erythema nodosum
features of insidious sarcoidosis
cough (non-productive)
fatigue
dyspnoea