Respiratory Flashcards
According to NICE guidelines, what recommendations should be given to those with COPD?
- Smoking cessation advice (NRT, varnicline, bupropion)
- Annual influenza vaccination
- One off pneumococcal vaccination
- Pulmonary rehab to those with MRC grade 3 and above
What is the 1st line treatment for COPD?
Short acting beta2 agonist (eg. salbutamol) or short acting muscarinic antagonist (eg. ipratropium or oxatroprium bromide)
If a pt remains symptomatic with short acting bronchodilators, what is the next step in management?
First, determine whether the patient has ‘asthmatic features/features suggesting steroid responsiveness’ - eg. previous dx asthma/atopy, eosinophilia, substantial (>400ml) variation in FEV1 over time, substantial diurnal variation in peak expiratory flow (>20%)
NO asthmatic features:
Add long-acting beta2 agonist (eg. tiotropium) and long actinic muscarinic antagonist (eg. -rol)
If taking SMA, discontinue and switch to SABA
Asthmatic features:
LABA + ICS
NICE recommend the use of combined inhalers where possible
If a pt with asthmatic features of COPD remains breathless on SABA + LABA + ICS, what is the next step in treatment?
Triple therapy ie. LAMA + LABA + ICS
(if taking SAMA, discontinue and switch to SABA)
If a pt remains symptomatic after trials of short and long acting bronchodilators, or cannot use inhaled therapy, what treatment is recommended in COPD?
Theophylline
In which circumstances should a reduced dose of theophylline be prescribed?
If a macrolide or fluoroquinolone is co-prescribed
What oral prophylactic antibiotic therapy is indicated in select COPD patients? What are the prerequisites for treatment?
Azithromycin
Its must not smoke, have optimised standard treatments, and continue to have exacerbations
Must have CT thorax to exclude bronchiectasis and sputum culture to exclude atypical infections and TB
Must have LDT and ECG to exclude QT prolongation (azithromycin can prolong QT)
When should mucolytics be prescribed in COPD?
Patient with a chronic productive cough - only continue if symptoms improve
When should oral phosphodiesterase-4 (PDE-4) inhibitors be used in COPD?
Patients must have:
- Severe COPD (FEB1 less than 50% of predicted normal after bronchodilator therapy)
- History of frequent COPD exacerbations (2 or more in last 12 months despite triple therapy)
What is an example of a PDE-4 inhibitor?
Roflumilast
What is cor pulmonale and how is it treated?
Cor pulmonale is abnormal right sided hypertrophy due to lung disease. Features include peripheral oedema, raised JVP, systolic parasternal heave and loud P2
Treatments include:
- Loop diuretic for oedema (eg furosemide, bumetanide)
- LTOT
Which treatments are not recommended in cor pulmonale that may be used in CCF?
ACEis, CCBs, alpha blockers
Which factors improve survival in patients with stable COPD?
Smoking cessation (most IMPORTANT)
LTOT (if fit criteria)
Lung volumer reduction surgery
What is CURB65?
Confusion (AMT <= 8)
Urea (>=7)
RR (>= 30)
BP (systolic <=90, diastolic <=60)
Age (>=65)
0/1 - low risk, treat at home
2 - intermediate risk, consider hospital
3 or more - high risk, urgent hospital admission
What are NICEs recommendation on abx treatment for pneumonia, when considering CRP?
CRP <20 - no routine abx
CRP 20-100 - consider or offer delayed abx
CRP >100 - abx
What investigations do NICE recommend for pneumonia?
CXR and CRP
Intermiediate/high risk patients should have blood and sputum cultures, pneumococal and legionella urinary antigens
What is 1st line therapy for low severity CAP?
Amoxicillin - 5d course
Penicillin allergy - macrolide (eg. clari/erythromycin) or tetracycline (eg. doxy)
What is 1st line therapy for moderate or high severity CAP?
7-10d course dual antibiotic therapy with amoxicillin + macrolide
Consider co-amoxiclav/ceftriazxone/piptaz + clarithromycin in high severity
NICE would recommend that patients are not routinely discharged if they have had 2 or more of which findings in the last 24h?
- Temperature higher than 37.5°C
- Respiratory rate 24 breaths per minute or more
- Heart rate over 100 beats per minute
- Systolic blood pressure 90 mmHg or less
oxygen saturation under 90% on room air - Abnormal mental status
- Inability to eat without assistance.
How long should the following symptoms resolve after pneumonia?
a) fever
b) chest pain/sputum reduced
c) cough and SOB reduced
d) most symptoms except fatigue
e) back to normal
a) 1 week
b) 4 weeks
c) 6 weeks
d) 3 months
e) 6 months
What investigation should be done for all cases of pneumonia 6 weeks after clinical resolution?
CXR - if abnormal needs in detail imaging
What are the most common causes of an anterior mediastinal mass?
4 Ts - teratoma, terrible lymphadenopathy, thymic mass (thymoma/thymoid cancer) and thyroid mass
Why is a CT chest done in myasthenia graves?
To look for a thymoma - removal of thymoma may improve condition and helps prevent malignant transformation
What is the mediastinum?
The region between the pulmonary cavities, extending from the thoracic inlet superiorly to the diaphragm inferiorly.
Composed of 4 regions - superior/middle/posterior/anterior
The mediastinum contains the heart, great vessels, teaches and many essential nerves