Respiratory Flashcards
What are the most common obstructive lung disease?
Asthma
COPD
CF
Bronchiectasis
What is the main finding on examination for obstructive lung disease?
Wheeze +/- crackles if added infection
What are the spirometry findings for obstructive lung disease?
FEV1:FVC <0.7
What patient factors increase the likelihood of asthma in the case of diagnostic uncertainty?
Sx - wheeze, SOB, chest tightness
Diurnal variation
Response to exercise, allergen or cold air
Year-year variation, no progression
Sx after ASA or BB
PHx/FHx atopy/asthma
Widespread wheeze
Low FEV1/PEF during sx (normal at rest)
Eosinophilia
Age onset <20
Normal CXR
Immediate response to bronchodilators
What patient factors lower the likelihood of asthma in the case of diagnostic uncertainty?
Prominent dizziness/light headedness/tingling
Chronic productive cough
Lack of wheeze
Sx w/ colds only
Progressively worsening
Change in voice
Cardiac disease
Smoking hx > 20PY
Normal PEF during sx OR abnormal b/w sx
Age onset >40
CXR - hyperinflated lungs
Limited response to bronchodilators
What investigation should be done if there is intermediate probability of asthma?
Test for bronchodilator reversibility with spirometry
What % improvement in spirometry should be seen for a diagnosis of asthma?
> 15%
What alternative diagnoses might need to be considered?
COPD
Eosiniophilic inflammation (bloods, FeNO)
Atopy (IgE)
Methacholine challenge
What is the key feature of occupational asthma?
Worse during work, remits when away from work (w/e or holidays)
How should occupational asthma be diagnosed?
Peak flow diary to assess trends
What occupations does occupational asthma commonly occur in?
Food processors
Animal handlers
Welders
Paint sprayers
What are the treatment steps on the asthma ladder?
Step 1 - SABA prn
Step 2 - SABA prn + low-dose ICS maintenance
Step 3 - SABA prn + ICS + LTRA
Step 4 - SABA prn + LABA + ICS (review LTRA)
Step 5 - SABA prn + MART (ICS + LABA) + LTRA
When should patients be moved up or down the asthma ladder?
If >/< 3x episodes of sx/week
When should patients be automatically started on Step 2 of the asthma ladder?
If sx occuring >3x/week or waking at night in adults >17
What type of drug is Salbutamol and how is it used in asthma management?
SABA
Works acutely
What type of drug is Salmeterol and how is it used in asthma management?
LABA
Delayed onset
Reduces nocturnal sx
What are the side effects of B2 agonists?
Tachycardia
Tremor/anxiety
Cramps
Paradoxical bronchospasm
Hypokalaemia
Hyperglycaemia
Hyperlactataemia
How are steroids used in asthma management?
ICS or PO/IV
5-7 in acute flares
Chronic PO if uncontrolled by ICS
Aim to be at lowest dose
What additional protections are required in patients on long-term steroids for asthma management?
Bone/GI protection
What are the side effects/risks of steroids in asthma management?
Thrush (rinse mouth after usage of ICS)
Adrenal suppression (may need steroid card)
Psychoses (high dose acute treatments)
Reactive leucocytosis BUT immunosuppressed
What are MART inhalers and why are they used?
LABA + ICS
Helps w/ comliance
What are LRTAs?
Leukotriene receptor antagonists
Montelukast
Why are LRTAs used in asthma management?
Additive effect w/ ICS
What are the side effects of LRTAs?
Abdo pain
Thirst
Headache
Churg-Strauss syndrome (v. rare)
What are the features of Churg-Strauss syndrome?
Eosinophilia
Vasculitic rash
Pulmonary-renal syndrome
Why is Theophylline given at night?
To prevent morning dipping of PEF
Why is Theophylline rarely used in 1o care?
Zero-order kinetics = saturable and metabolised by liver
-variation in smokers, liver/heart failures
Affected by inducers
Narrow therapeutic index
What are the features of Theophylline toxicity?
GI upset (N)
Tachycardia
Seizures
Hypokalaemia
Hyperglycaemia
What type of drug is Sodium Cromoglicate and why is it used in asthma management?
INH mast cell stabilisers
Prophylaxis in mild/exercise-induced asthma (esp. paeds)
What type of drug is Iptratropium?
SAMA (anticholinergic)
What type of drug is Tiatropium?
LAMA (anticholinergic)
What type of drug is Omalizumab and why is it used in asthma management?
Anti-IgE Mab
Used in persistent allergic asthma in 2o care
What type of drug is Mepolizumab and why is it used in asthma management?
Anti-IL5 Mab
Used in refractory eosinophilic asthma in 2o care
What PEF is seen in a moderate asthma exacerbation?
PEF >50-75%
What is the management of a moderate asthma exacerbation?
SABA nebs
PO Prednisolone
What are the features of a severe asthma exacerbation?
Cannot speak in full sentences
HR >110bpm
RR >25/min
PEFR 33-50%
What is the management of a severe asthma exacerbation?
SABA nebulisers
PO Prednisolone
Consider single dose IV Mg
Admit
What are the features of a life threatening asthma exacerbation?
Silent chest
Confused
Cyanotic
Bradycardia
RR low (exhaustion)
PaCO2 raised
PEFR <33%
What is the management of a life threatening asthma exacerbation?
SABA nebulisers
PO Prednisolone
IV Mg
Admit and likely need ventilatory support
SAMA
NOT FOR NIV
What is the Samter triad?
Asthma
Nasal polyp
Aspirin sensitivity
What drug is contraindicated in sever asthma?
Beta-blockers
-10% intolerant
What acute respiratory event are asthmatics at increased risk of developing?
Pneumothorax
What are the GOLD categories for COPD severity?
Mild - FEV1 >80%
Moderate - FEV1 50-79%
Severe - FEV1 30-49%
V. severe - FEV1 <30%
What are the treatment steps on the COPD ladder?
Step 1 - SABA or SAMA
Step 2 - LABA + LAMA or ICS
(ICS if asthmatic sx or steroid responsiveness, LAMA if neither of these)
Step 3 - 3/12 trial of LABA + LAMA + ICS
-if no improvement rever to LABA/LAMA
Why should ICS not be given alone in COPD?
Increase mortality as risk of pneumonia
What are the common side effects of antimuscarinics?
Dry mouth
Nausea
Headache
What are the rare side effects of antimuscarinics?
Constipation
Tachycardia
Retention
Confusion
Blurred vision (dilated pupils)
Angle-closure glaucoma
Hypersensitivity
In which patient groups should caution be taken when prescribing antimuscarinics?
BPH and glaucoma prone patients
What are the features of anticholinergic toxicity?
Hyperactive delirium (mad as hatter)
Mydriasis/reduced vision (blind as bat)
Retention (full as flask)
Dry skin (dry as bone)
Hot to touch (hot as hare)
Flushed apperance (red as beet)
What additional treatments should be considered in COPD management?
Annual Flu + PC vaccine
Pulmonary rehab
Mucolytics
SMOKING CESSATION
LTOT
What are the requirements for starting LTOT?
Non-smoker
PaO2 <7.3 persistently DESPITE maximum rx OR
PaO2 <8 AND evidence of pulmonary HTN (RVH, peripheral oedema), polcythaemia, nocturnal hypoxia OR
Palliative
What is the immediate management of a COPD exacerbation?
Neb SAMA + SABA
Controlled O2
Target SpO2 88-92%
Steroids
If infective exacerbation - add Amox/Doxy
What additional management steps may be required in a severe/refractory COPD exacerbation?
IV Aminophylline loading dose
NIV
Intubation
When should NIV be considered in a COPD exacerbation?
RR >30
pH <7.35
PaCO2 rising despite adequate treatment (T2RF)
When should intubation be considered in a COPD exacerbation?
If pH <7.26
PaCO2 rising despite NIV
What is the inheritance pattern of cystic fibrosis?
Autosomal recssive
Which gene is affected in cystic fibrosis?
Ch7 CFTR
What is the carrier rate of the Ch7 CFTR gene in caucasians?
1:25
How are UK neonates screened for CF?
Heel-prick (raised immunoreactive trypsin)
-follow on CFTR PCR screen
What findings on the sweat test are suggestive of CF?
High Na + Cl (defective NaCl CFTR channels)
What are the features of a neonatal presentation of CF?
Failure to thrive
Meconium ileus
Rectal prolapse
What are the features of a respiratory presentation of CF?
Recurrent LRTIs
Nasal polyps
Bronchiectasis (eventually)
What are the features of a GI presentation of CF?
Pancreatic insufficiency (DM + steatorrhea)
Distal intestinal obstruction
Gallstones
Cirrhosis
What systems are commonly affected by CF?
Respiratory
GI
Reproductive
What are the reproductive sx of CF?
Male infertility (undeveloped vas + epididymis)
Female subfertility
What is the management of CF?
Physiotherapy
Abx for acute infective exacerbations
Mucolytics
Bronchodilators
Immunisation
Yearly CXR surveillance
O2/diuretics/NIV if cor pulmonale –> b/l lung-heart transplant
Creon
Ursodeoxycholic acid if cirrhotic –> liver translant
DM management (yearly OGTT)
What organisms commonly cause infective exacerbations in CF?
Staph aureus
Pseudomonas
Burkholderia cepacia
Which infective organism is a contraindication for lung-heart transplant in CF?
Burkholderia cepacia
What type of drug is Ivacaftor?
CFTR potentiator for G551D mutation
What type of drug is Lumacaftor?
CFTR corrector for classic F508 mutation
What is Bronchiectasis?
Permanent thinning and dilatation of the airways
What are the presenting features of Bronchiectasis?
Persistent cough
Copious sputum
Intermittent haemoptysis
Constitutional sx (wt loss)
What are the causes of Bronchiectasis?
Extrinsic narrowing
Blockage
Congenital
Infective
Inflammatory
What are the congenital causes of Bronchiectasis?
Young syndrome
1o ciliary dyskinesis (Kartagener’s syndrome)
What are the features of Young syndrome?
Obstructive azoospermia
Chronic sino-pulmonary infections –> Bronchiectasis
What are the features of 1o ciliary dyskinesis (Kartagener’s syndrome)?
Paranasal sinusitis
Bronchiectasis
Hearing loss
Situs inversus
Infertility
What are the CXR features of Bronchiectasis?
Tramline & ring shadows (thickened bronchial walls)
What are the high-res CT features of Bronchiectasis?
Small airway dilatation > nearby vessels
-signet ring sign = dilated bronchus w/ pulm aa nearby
Cysts
Mucous plugging
What is the management of Bronchiectasis?
Airway clearance (PT, mucolytics)
Bronchodilators
Long-term abx/prophylactic
Steroids
Surgery (if localised)
What antibiotic is commonly used prophylactically in CF and Bronchiectasis?
Azithromycin
-anti-inflammatory in nature
What are the common restrictive lung conditions?
Interstitial lung disease
Sarcoidosis
Occupational lung disease
What is the main finding on examination for restrictive lung disease?
Fine crackles that do not change on inspiration/expiration, coughing or movement
Bronchial sounds
What are the spirometry findings for restrictive lung disease?
FEV1:FVC >0.7
What is the underlying pathological process in ILD?
Diffuse, chronic, progressive inflammation
How dose ILD present?
Dry cough
Exertional SOB
Clubbing
In which respiratory conditions is clubbing commonly present?
CF
Bronchiectasis
ILD
TB
What is the gold standard investigation for suspected ILD?
High-res CT