Respiratory Flashcards
What is…
i) FEV1?
ii) FVC?
and give the normal values for both.
i) Forced expiratory volume in 1 second, max inspiration + exhale as fast as possibly, ≥80% predicted.
ii) Forced vital capacity, total volume of air forcible expired.
What is the pleura? What are the two components to it?
- Double membrane which surrounds the lungs.
- Parietal = contact with chest wall.
- Visceral = contact with the lungs.
What are the functions of the pleura?
- Visceral pleura produces + reabsorbs pleural fluid (proteins, mesothelial cells, monocytes, lymphocytes).
- Allows movement of lung against chest wall.
- Cushioning.
- Lubrication.
Is FEV1 or FVC a better assessment of lung health? What are the abnormal values?
- FEV1 is more reproducible.
- FEV1 or FVB < 80% predicted.
What is the FEV1/FVC ratio and what can it show?
- Proportion of FVC exhaled in 1st second.
- FEV1/FVC < 0.7 = airway OBSTRUCTION.
- FEV1/FVC > 0.7 = airway RESTRICTION with FEV1 + FVC being low respectively.
Give examples of obstructive + restrictive respiratory diseases.
Obstructive…
- Asthma (variable airflow obstruction, reversible).
- COPD (fixed airflow obstruction).
- Bronchiectasis.
Restriction…
- Means lung volumes are small + most breath out in first second like interstitial lung disease (fibrosis + sarcoidosis).
What is type 1 + 2 respiratory failure? Give examples.
Type 1 = 1 change. - PaO2 low, PaCO2 low/normal. - Pulmonary embolism (V/Q mismatch). Type 2 = 2 changes. - PaO2 low, PaCO2 high - Hypoventilation.
What would the ABG results for pH, CO2 + HCO3- be in somebody with…
i) Respiratory acidosis.
ii) Respiratory alkalosis.
iii) i) with metabolic compensation
iv) ii) with metabolic compensation
i) Low, high, normal.
ii) High, low, normal.
iii) Normalising, high, high.
iv) Normalising, low, low.
COPD
What is chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)?
- Common progressive disorder characterised by airway obstruction with poor reversibility.
- It includes chronic bronchitis + emphysema.
COPD
What is the pathophysiology of emphysema?
- Destruction of lung tissue distal to terminal bronchioles cause a loss of elastic recoil which usually allows airways to remain open following expiration so there is air trapping.
- There is inability to oxygenate + so hyperventilation.
COPD
What is the pathophysiology of chronic bronchitis?
- Exposure to irritants/chemicals (smoke) leads to hypertrophy + hyerplasia of mucous secreting glands in bronchial tree + excess mucous causing an obstruction.
- Neutrophil + macrophage involvement + increased inflammatory mediators leading to bronchial wall becoming inflamed.
- Less oxygen can get into alveoli + less carbon dioxide can get out + so V/Q mismatch > hypoxia (cyanosis).
- Obstruction causes increasing residual lung volume (bloating).
COPD
How can cor pulmonale develop in chronic bronchitis?
- Capillary bed intact + compensatory vasoconstriction which increases CO in attempt to shunt blood to better ventilated alveoli leads to pulmonary HTN > RHF (oedema) > cor pulmonale.
COPD
What protease inhibitor can be inactivated by smoke?
- Alpha-1-antitrypsin + this can lead to emphysema.
COPD
What are the pink puffers + blue bloaters?
Pink puffers (emphysema)…
- Have increased alveolar ventilation with a near normal PaO2 + normal/low PaCO2.
- They are breathless but not cyanosed, dyspnoea main issue.
Blue bloaters (chronic bronchitis)…
- Decreased alveolar ventilation with low PaO2 + high PaCO2.
- Cyanosed but not breathless.
- Respiratory centres are relatively insensitive to CO2 + so rely on hypoxic drive to maintain respiratory effort – hypoventilation main issue.
COPD
What is the aetiology of COPD?
- Generall older presentation with no variation in their symptoms.
- Smoking.
- Occupational irritans.
- Alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency (early-onset emphysema).
COPD
What are the symptoms of COPD?
- Chronic cough.
- Sputum.
- Dyspnoea.
- Fatigued.
COPD
What are the signs of COPD?
- Tachypnoea.
- Use of accessory muscles of respiration (sternocleidomastoid, scalene muscles).
- Hyperinflated barrel shaped chest.
- Wheeze (expiration due to narrowed airways).
- Thin with loss of muscle mass (unable to exercise).
COPD
What is the diagnostic criteria for chronic bronchitis?
- Cough + sputum production on most days for 3 months of 2 successive years.
COPD
What are the investigations for COPD?
Spirometry... - Obstructive + air-trapping. FEV1 < 80%, FEV1/FVC < 0.7 CXR... - Hyper-inflated lungs with reduced peripheral lung markings. CT chest... - Bronchial wall thickening. - Scarring - Air space enlargement.
COPD
What are the non-pharmacological treatments for COPD?
- Smoking cessation, keep healthy (reduced infection risk).
- Pulmonary rehabilitation to increase exercise capacity + improve general wellbeing.
COPD
What is the pharmacological treatment for COPD?
1st line... - SABA like salbutamol OR SAMA like ipratropium. 2nd line... - LABA like salmeterol. 3rd line... - LAMA like tiotropium. 4th line... LABA + inhaled corticosteroid like beclometasone (ICS) ± LAMA.
COPD
What is the treatment for acute exacerbations of COPD?
- Oxygen therapy (88–92%)
- LABA/LAMA/ICS.
- Systemic steroids (prednisolone.
- Abx if dyspnoea + sputum production.
ASTHMA
What is asthma and what is it characterised by?
A restrictive obstruction of airways + an inflammatory disease characterised by…
- Airflow obstruction (usually reversible spontaneously or with treatment).
- Airway hyper-reactivity to variety of stimuli.
- Bronchial inflammation with inappropriate smooth muscle contraction.
ASTHMA
What are the histological changes in asthma?
- Basement membrane thickening.
- Epithelium metaplasia leading to increased goblet cells + mucous hypersecretion.
- Increase in inflammatory gene expression on many cell types.
ASTHMA
What cells are increased in the bronchial wall + mucous membranes in asthma?
- Mast cells, eosinophils, T lymphocytes + neutrophils.
ASTHMA
What is the pathophysiology of allergic asthma?
- Allergen is inhaled + IgE binds to mast cells causing vasoactive substances like histamine to be released causing bronchoconstriction, oedema, bronchial inflammation + mucous hypersecretion.
ASTHMA
What is the aetiology of asthma?
Allergic (extrinsic), eosinophilic…
- Allergens + atopy, often accompanied by eczema.
- Type 1 hypersensitivity IgE mediated (mast cells).
Non-allergic (intrinsic), non-eosinophilic…
- Idiopathic but triggers.
- Exercise, cold air + stress.
ASTHMA
What is the epidemiology of asthma?
- Commonly starts in childhood 3–5y/o.
- May either worsen/improve during adolescence.
- Non-allergic often presents middle-aged.
ASTHMA
What exacerbating factors + occupational risks are there with asthma?
- Cold air, exercise, stress, smoking (passive too), beta-blockers, aspirin can all exacerbate.
- Paint sprays (fume exposure, animal handlers + welders.
ASTHMA
How can asthma be differentiated to COPD?
- COPD is a later disease, predominately of smokers, more relentless progressive dyspnoea, less diurnal variation.
ASTHMA
What are the symptoms of asthma?
- Intermittent dyspnoea.
- Wheeze.
- Cough (often nocturnal).
- Diurnal variation (symptoms worse in morning).
ASTHMA
What are the signs of asthma?
- Tachypnoea.
- Audible wheeze.
- Hyperinflated chest.
ASTHMA
What is the diagnostic criteria for acute severe asthma?
- RR>25.
- HR>110.
- PEFR 35–50% predicted.
- Cannot complete sentence in one breath.
ASTHMA
What are the investigations for asthma?
Bloods – FBC for eosinophils.
Lung functional tests…
- PEFR tests reversibility.
- Obstructive pattern FEV1 < 80%, FEV1/FVC < 0.7
Skin prick tests to identify allergic triggers, test atopy.
CXR – distinguish from other factors.
ASTHMA
What does Peak Expiratory FLow Rate (PEFR) test and how?
- Reversibility.
- Diary of measurements on waking before bronchodilators + before bed after bronchodilator.
- Should show diurnal variation.
- Diagnosis by >15% improvement in FEV1/PEFR following bronchodilator.
ASTHMA
What are the RCP3 questions for?
Testing severity…
- Recent nocturnal waking?
- Usual asthma symptoms during day?
- Interference with ADLs?
ASTHMA
What is the treatment for acute severe asthma?
- Nebulised salbutamol w/ oxygen.
- IV corticosteroids + Abx if infection.
ASTHMA
What is the lifestyle advice for asthma?
- Stop smoking.
- Avoid allergens + stress.
- Keep healthy.
ASTHMA
What is the aim of asthma treatment?
- Stepped approach to control disease so no day/night symptoms, no exacerbations + normal lung functions (FEV1 or PEFR ≥ 80%).
ASTHMA
What is the medical treatment for asthma?
1st line = SABA like salbutamol. 2nd line = ICS (low dose) like beclometasone. 3rd line = LABA like salmeterol. 4th line = increase ICS dose. 5th line = oral prednisolone. Hospitalisation.
LUNG CARCINOMAS
What are the two main types of lung carcinomas?
- Non-small cell lung carcinomas (NSCLC)
- Small-cell lung carcinomas. (SCLC).
LUNG CARCINOMAS
What are the different types of NSCLC?
Squamous…
- Most present as obstructive lesion > infection.
- Ocassionally cavitates, commonly has local spread with widespread metastases.
Adenocarcinoma…
- Local + distant metastases.
Large cell…
- Poorly differentiated, metastases.
LUNG CARCINOMAS What type of NSCLC... i) more common with non-smokers? ii) strongly associated with smokers? iii) strongly associated with asbestos exposure?
i) Adenocarcinoma.
ii) Squamous.
iii) Adenocarcinoma.
LUNG CARCINOMAS
What is the pathophysiology of SCLC?
- Referred to as oat cell.
- Arise from Kulchitsky (endocrine) cells.
- Often secretes polypeptide hormones resulting in paraneoplastic syndromes.
- Grows rapidly, highly malignant, metastases, worst prognosis.
LUNG CARCINOMAS
What is the aetiology of lung carcinomas? What is the 5 year lung cancer survival rate + why?
- Smoking.
- Occupational (asbestos/radon/coal tar/chromium).
- 5 year lung cancer survival rate 8–10% as people often present late so treatment limited.
LUNG CARCINOMAS
What are the symptoms as a result of local effect of lung carcinoma?
- Cough.
- Haemoptysis.
- Dyspnoea.
- Chest pain.
- Recurrent/slowly resolving chest infections.
LUNG CARCINOMAS
What are the symptoms as a result of metastases of lung carcinoma?
- Bone tenderness.
- Hepatomegaly.
- Neurological deficit like seizures, headache, confusion.
LUNG CARCINOMAS
What are the local complications due to lung carcinomas?
- Left recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy = hoarse voice.
- Spread to brachial plexus = shoulder/arm pain.
- Spread to sympathetic ganglion = Horner’s syndrome.
LUNG CARCINOMAS
What paraneoplastic changes can occur in SCLC?
- PTH, ACTH, ADH secretion leading to, Cushing’s syndrome, SiADH.
LUNG CARCINOMAS
What is the treatment for NSCLC?
- Lobectomy (open or thoracoscopic) with curative intent.
- Radical radiotherapy.
- Chemotherapy ± radiotherapy if more advanced.
LUNG CARCINOMAS
What is the treatment for SCLC?
- Surgery with limited stage disease.
- Chemotherapy ± radiotherapy if well enough if not palliative radiotherapy.
- Supportive measures = endobronchial therapy like tracheal stenting to treat airway narrowing, analgesia, steroids, anti-emetics.
PULMONARY EMBOLISM
What is the pathophysiology of PE?
- Venous thrombi, usually from DVT (iliofemoral vein common) pass into the pulmonary circulation + block blood flow to the lungs.
- Thromboembolism blocks the RV outflow + so suddenly increases pulmonary vascular resistance > acute RHF.
PULMONARY EMBOLISM
What are the consequences of..
i) small-medium, peripheral PE?
ii) massive, central PE?
i) Impacts in a terminal, peripheral pulmonary vessel + may be clinically silent unless pulmonary infarction.
Lung tissue ventilated but not perfused leading to impaired gas exchange, alveolar dead space > infarction.
ii) Resistance to flow which can result in RHF, syncope, ischaemia + death.
PULMONARY EMBOLISM
What are the risk factors for PE?
Thrombotic…
- Surgery, immobility, leg fracture.
- Oral contraceptive, HRT, pregnancy.
- Genetic predisposition (inherited thrombophilia).
- Long haul flights = rare.
PULMONARY EMBOLISM
What is the preventing for PE?
Mechanical... - Hydration + early mobilisation. - Compression stockings + foot pumps. Chemical... - LMWH.
PULMONARY EMBOLISM
What is the clinical presentation of small-medium PE?
- Dypsnoea.
- Pleuritic chest pain.
- Haemoptysis if infarction.
- May be tachypnoeic, pleural rub + exudative pleural effusion.
PULMONARY EMBOLISM
What is the clinical presentation of massive PE?
- Severe central chest pain.
- Pale + sweaty.
- Shock.
- Raised JVP, RV heave, tachypnoea.
- Hypotensive + tachycardic.
PULMONARY EMBOLISM
What are the investigations for PE?
Revised Geneva score to predict probability of PE…
- If low, D-dimer > CT pulmonary angiogram if positive (diagnostic).
ABG shows Type 1 resp failure.
ECG may show sinus tachy, RBBB, S1Q3T3 (prominent S wave in lead I, Q wave + inverted T in lead III).
CXR shows decreased vascular markings + raised hemidiaphragm.
Echocardiogram diagnostic for massive PE + bedside test.
PULMONARY EMBOLISM
What is the treatment of PE?
Acute…
- Oxygen, analgesia, LMWH.
- Thrombolysis with alteplase if haemodynamically unstable.
Long-term…
- Anti-coagulation with DOAC like rivaroxaban/apixaban or warfarin (continue LMWH until INR >2)
PNEUMONIA
What is pneumonia?
- Acute lower respiratory tract infection + when severe can lead to excessive inflammation, lung injury + failure to resolve.
PNEUMONIA
What is the pathophysiology of pneumonia?
- Bacteria translocate to the normally sterile distal airway.
- Resident host defence becomes overwhelmed.
- Macrophages, chemokines + neutrophils produce an inflammatory response.
PNEUMONIA
What are the classifications of pneumonia?
Community-acquired…
- May be primary or secondary to underlying disease.
Hospital-acquired…
- Defined as >48h after hospital admission.
- Seen in elderly, ventilator associated + post-operative.
Aspiration…
- Acute aspiration of gastric contents into lungs.
- Seen in stroke, myasthenia + loss of consciousness.
PNEUMONIA
What are the common aetiologies of community acquired pneumonia?
- Streptococcus pneumoniae, gram+ve cocci chain most common.
- Haemophilus influenzae, gram-ve bacilli.
- Enteric gram-negative bacilli like E.coli, klebsielle pneumoniae.
PNEUMONIA
What are the atypical aetiologies of community acquired pneumonia +
Associated with water cooler/air conditioner…
- Mycoplasm pneumoniae.
- Chlamydophila pneumoniae.
- Legionella pneumophilia (Spain/Portugal).
PNEUMONIA
What are the aetiologies of hospital acquired pneumonia?
- Gram-egative bacilli enterobacteria like pseudomonas aeruginosa, E.coli + klebsiella pneumoniae.
- S. Aureus including MRSA.
PNEUMONIA
What are the precipitating + risk factors for pneumonia?
- Smoking, alcohol abuse, underlying lung disease.
- Elderly + children, co-morbidities (DM, COPD, bronchiectasis), immunocompromised, nursing home residents.
PNEUMONIA
What type of pneumonia is most common in HIV patients?
- Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia (PCP).
PNEUMONIA
What are the symptoms of pneumonia?
- Purulent sputum – atypical = non-productive cough.
- Haemoptysis.
- Pleuritic chest pain.
PNEUMONIA
What are the signs of pneumonia?
- Signs of lung consolidation (reduced expansion, dull percussion).
- Tachypnoea/cardia.
- Pyrexia.
- Pleural rub.
PNEUMONIA
What are the complications with pneumonia?
- Parapneumonic effusions + empyema (pockets of pus).
Suspect if WCC/CRP don’t settle, pain on deep inspiration, pleural collection – drain. - Brain abscess.
- Peri/myocarditis.
PNEUMONIA
What are the investigations for pneumonia?
Bloods – FBC (WCC raised), ESR/CRP raised, U+E.
Sputum + blood culture with antibiotic sensitivities, serology (atypicals).
Urinary antigen test.
CXR may show multi-lobar infiltrates, multiple abscesses, upper lobe cavity, pleural effusion.
PNEUMONIA
How is the severity of pneumonia assessed?
CURB-65…
- Confusion.
- Urea >7mmol/L.
- Resp rate ≥30/min.
- BP <90/60mmHg.
- 65 ≤ age.
PNEUMONIA
How does CURB-65 determine how you treat pneumonia?
0-1 = oral amoxicillin in the community. 2 = oral amoxicillin + clarithromycin in the hospital. ≥3 = IV co-amoxiclav + clarithromycin, consider ITU.
PNEUMONIA
What is the generic treatment for pneumonia?
- Maintain oxygen sats.
- Analgesia like paracetamol/NSAIDs for pleuritic pain
PNEUMONIA
What are the specific antibiotic regimes for Legionella species pneumonia?
- Fluoroquinolone like ciprofloxacin + clarithromycin.
- Inform Public Health England.
PNEUMONIA
What are the preventative measure for pneumonia?
- Polysaccharide pneumococcal vaccine (PPV) for children.
- Influenza vaccine for those ≥65y/o, immunocompromised or with medical co-morbidities.
- Smoking cessation.
TUBERCULOSIS
What is the pathophysiology of TB?
- Primary TB is caused by aerosol transmission of Mycobacterium tuberculosis where they are inhaled in the upper region of lung, often apex due to more air + less blood supply (so less immune cells).
- Bacilli settle in the lung apex + macrophages + lymphocytes mount an effective immune response that encapsulates + contains the organism.
TUBERCULOSIS
What is the pathogenesis of TB?
- Bacilli + macrophage combine to form a granuloma, the Ghon/primary focus.
- The mediastinal lymph nodes enlarge, primary focus + mediastinal lymph nodes = Ghon complex.
- As the granuloma grows, it develops into a cavity which is full of TB bacilli which are expelled when the patient coughs.
TUBERCULOSIS
What is the epidemiology of TB?
Majority cases in Africa/Asia (India, China).
TUBERCULOSIS
What are the risk factors for TB?
- Living in high prevalence area.
- IV drug users.
- Homeless (immune stresses).
- Alcoholics.
- HIV +ve.
TUBERCULOSIS
What is the clinical presentation of TB?
Systemic…
- Weight loss, night sweats, anorexia, malaise.
Pulmonary…
- Cough (>3/52), chest pain, dyspnoea, haemoptysis.
TUBERCULOSIS
What is the natural history of TB?
- Primary infection leads to primary or progressive primary disease (organ specific or disseminated).
- Latent TB until post-primary disease (wherever dormant bacilli were hiding, often lung).
- Re-infection leads to new disease with latent TB until death.