Respiratory Flashcards
Where are Anti-inflammatory steroids produced?
Adrenal Cortex
What is an example of a mineralcorticoid and where are they produced?
Aldosterone
Zona Glomerulosa
What is an example of a glucocorticoid and where are they produced?
Hydrocortisone
Zona fasiculata
How do glucocorticoids work?
interfere with gene transcription (They have zinc fingers)
How do mineralcorticoids work?
Metabolic changes and anti-inflammatory effect.
What is a consequence of prolonged hydrocortisone usage?
Muscle wasting
osteoporosis
Increased risk of infection
What is pulmonary vasculitis?
Inflammation of the pulmonary arterial wall
What is the treatment for pulmonary vasculitis?
Immunosuppressants as it is AI mediated.
What is whooping cough caused by?
Bordetella pertussis (Gram neg bacilli)
What is bordetella pertussis cultured on?
Bordet gengou agar
What are the symptoms of whooping cough?
- Chronic cough
2. Inspiratory whoop, posttusive vomiting
What is the treatment of whooping cough?
Clarithromyocin
What is the vaccination schedule for whooping cough?
8,12,16 weeks and at 3years 4 months with dTaP
What is coup?
Acute larygnotracheobronchitis affecting the trachea, bronchi and larynx.
Most common in children
What is the cause of coup?
Parainfluenza virus.
Who is at risk of CMV?
Immunocompromised patients.
Why is treatment of CMV difficult?
Long duration and potential toxicity
What is the difference between palliative and radical radiotherapy?
Radical – Daily treatment for 4-6 weeks.
Palliative – patient attends the minimum number of visits to control symptoms
What are some side effects of radiotherapy
Fatigue, anorexia, cough, oesophagitis and systemic symptoms.
What is a positive and negative of adding chemotherapy to radiotherapy?
- Positive –> Survival advantage
- Negative –> increased risk of toxicity
What are the side effects of chemotherapy?
Alopecia, nausea/vomiting, peripheral neuropathy and constipation/diarrhoea.
What are the aims of palliative chemotherapy?
- Relieve symptoms
- Improve QOL
- Shrink tumours
What does pleural fluid contain?
Albumin and globulin
What produces pleural fluid and how much is found in a healthy cavity?
Produced –> Parietal pleura
15ml
What is the function of pleura?
Allows movement of the lung and lung expansion against the chest wall.
What diseases are associated with the pleura.
- Pleural effusions
- Pleural plaques
- Pneumothorax
What are the viral and bacterial causes of pharyngitis?
- Viral usually e.g. rhinovirus and adenovirus
- Bacteria e.g. Streptococcus pyogenes
What is the centor criteria?
Determines the likelihood that a sore throat is bacterial
- Tonsillar exudate
- Fever >38
- Tender/enlarged anterior cervical lymph nodes
- Absence of cough
What is neutropenia?
A disease characterised by having an abnormally low concentration of neutrophils in the blood.
What is the cause of neutropenia?
Iatrogenic e.g. Chemo
Examples of iatrogenic suppression
- Corticosteroid use
- Chemo
- Immune suppression post organ transplant
- Rituximab
Give 4 examples of non-specific supression
- Malnutrition
- Alcohol
- Sepsis
- Trauma
How can illness be prevented in the immunocompromised?
- Hand hygiene
- Education
- Isolation
- Screen for TB before anti TNF therapy
- PCP prophylaxis of
What is the usual presentation of pulmonary infection in the immunocompromised?
- Pyrexia
- Lethargy
- Cough
- Breathlessness
- Hypxoic
What is empyema?
Pockets of pus that have collected in the body cavity.
What are the signs and symptoms of Empyema?
- WBC/CRP doesn’t settle with Abx
- Pain on deep inspiration
- Pleural collection.
What is the management of empyema?
Drainage
What is Wegener’s Granulomatosis?
Vasculitis of an unknown aetiology, commonly involves the upper airway and endobronchi
What are the symptoms of Wegener’s Granulomatosis?
- Rhionorrhea
- Nasal mucosa ulceration
- Cough
- Haemoptysis
- Pleuritic chest pain
What serum investigations would you order in Wegener’s granulomatosis?
- C-ANCA and anti-PR3 positive
What is the treatment of Wegener’s granulomatosis?
- If severe – high dose steroids
2. If non-end organ threatening – moderate steroids
What should the PaO2 be to be suitable for home O2?
PaO2 <7.3kPa when breathing room air.
Describe the assessment process of home O2?
- Blood gas measurements taken 3 weeks apart in a stable pt receiving bronchodilator therapy
- Pt should stop smoking
- Pt should have a PaO2<7.3kPa
What is Horners syndrome?
Results from apical lung cancer affecting the T1 nerve root.
What are the signs of Horner’s syndrome?
- Anhydrosis
- Miosis –> pupil contraction
- Ptosis
- Loss of cilospinal reflex
- Enophthalmos – backwards displace of the eyeball.
What is sarcoidosis?
Granulomatous disease that affects the organ system but typically lungs/lymph nodes.
Restrictive disease
What are the symptoms of Sarcoidosis?
- Cough
- SOB
- Wheeze
What is the effect on the following in sarcoidosis?
metabolic neurological bone eyes skin
Metabolic effect of sarcoidosis –> hypercalcaemia
Neurological effect –> inflammation of the meninges and seizures
Effect on bone –> arthralgia (pain in joints)
Effect on eyes –> Uveitis
Effect on skin –> erythema nodosum (red tender lumps)
What is the differential diagnosis of sarcoidosis?
Pulmonary TB and lymphoma
What is the treatment for sarcoidosis?
Steroids
What is a pneumothorax?
Air in the pleural space which leads to partial lung collapse.
What are the main types of pneumothorax?
- Traumatic e.g. stab wound
- Spontaneous –> can be primary (PSP) or secondary (SSP)
- Iatrogenic
What is the treatment for traumatic pneumothorax?
Drainage ASAP
Chest drainage site –> bound by pect major, latissimus dorsi and the nipple in men or the 5th ICS in women.
What is a tension pneumothorax?
Pleural tear creates 1 way valve through which air passes in inspiration
Increased intra-pleural pressure –> Resp distress, cardiac arrest and shock.
What is the treatment for a tension pneumothorax?
Needle decompression.
What is pneumoconiosis?
A group of lung disorders that that reflects inhaled dust/toxins
e.g. Coal workers pneumoconiosis, silicosis, asbestos exposure and extrinsic allergic alveolitis
What is silicosis and what does those affected have a higher risk of?
reflects silica structure and may occur in grinding related occupations and mining practices
TB and cancer
What are the consequences of asbestos exposure?
- Lung cancer
- Persistent Pleural effusion
- Diffuse pleural fibrosis
- Diffuse interstitial lung fibrosis
What is the histological pattern in those in RA with lung disease.
Paralleling usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP)
How does Anti IgE therapy work in asthma?
- Works as Ab binds to and neutralises free IgE, preventing IgE binding
- results in decreased mast cell sensitisation –> allergens can’t activate mast cells.
Why are inhaled medicines better in asthma?
They are more likely to reach the target sites.
What is an epidemic?
More cases in a region/country
What is a pandemic?
Epidemics that span international boundaries.
What are the consequences of pandemics?
- High morbidity
- Excess mortality
- Social disruption
- Economic disruption
What factors suggest a pandemic will be likely?
- More travel
- Increasing world population
- Rise in intensive farming
What factors suggest pandemics will not be likely?
- Healthier populations due to medical advances
- Better healthcare
- Vaccination
- Antivirals
What is interstitial lung disease?
Diseases of the alveolar/capillary interaction. Increased scarring around the alveoli so an increased diffusion pathway for gaseous exchange
What are the 5 major categories of Interstitial Lung diseases?
- Associated with systemic disease e.g. rheumatological
- Environmental aetiology
- Granulomatous disease e.g. sarcoidosis
- Idiopathic e.g. IPF
- Other
What are the signs and symptoms of interstitial lung disease?
- Cough
- Breathlessness
- Finger clubbing
- Evidence of systemic disease
What investigation would you order in interstitial lung disease?
- CXR
- Blood tests
- Pulmonary function tests
- Bronchoscopy with biopsy
Is interstitial lung disease restrictive or obstructive?
Restrictive
Fibrosis causes decreased gas transfer and decreased PaO2
What is the treatment for interstitial lung disease?
- Remove the exposure
- Steroids
What are 3 examples of chronic interstitial lung disease?
Interstitial pneumonia
Sarcoidosis
Rheumatoid arthritis
What is the pathology of chronic interstitial lung disease?
Increasing fibrous tissue within lung parenchyma resulting in increased stiffness and decreased expansion
What is the effect of chronic interstitial lung disease on lung volumes?
- Reduced TCO, VC and FEV1
2. FEV1/FVC ratio and PEFR normal.
What is the treatment for chronic interstitial lung disease?
Steroids and immunosupressive agents.
Lung transplant
Drugs can cause issues as they can generate free radicals.
What are the signs and symptoms of Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis?
- Dyspnoea on exertion
- Dry cough
- Elderly effected
Progressive fibrosis in the alveoli that limits a patients ability to respire
What is IPF?
A disease characterised by chronic inflammation and permanent scarring in the alveoli. Respiratory ability is affected, chest infection + hypoxic damage likely.
What investigations would you order in IPF?
- Pulmonary function tests
- CXR
- Bloods –> Neutrophil count up
What risk factors is associated with IPF?
- Dust inhalation
- Smoking
- Exposure to infectious agents
- Long term antidepressant use
What is the treatment for IPF?
Lung transplant and supportive care –> only treatment to increase survival
Broad spectrum Abx if patient has acute exacerbation
What 3 things would you look for on pulmonary tests for IPF?
- Reduced TLCO
- Restrictive spirometry, Low FEV1 and FVC but normal ratio
- Low/normal PaO2
Eicosanoid pathway - What does phospholipase A2 do?
Converts phospholipid to arachidonic acid
Eicosanoid pathway - 5 Lipoxygenase do?
Converts arachidonic acid to leukotrienes
Eicosanoid pathway - What does COX do?
Converts archidonic acid to prostaglandins
What inhibits phospholipase A2 and why is this good in asthma treatment?
Archidonic acid not converted so less inflammation and reduced TXA2.
Describe the eicosanoid pathway briefly.
Phospholipid is converted into arachidonic acid, it can then be converted to prostaglandins by COX or leukotrienes by 5 lipoxygenase.
What is bronchiolitis and who is it common in?
airway obstruction caused by inflammation of the bronchioles and increased mucus secretion
Children.
What is the cause of bronchiolitis?
RSV infection.
What is the difference between bronchiolitis and bronchitis?
Bronchitis = inflammation of bronchi epithelium due to irritants or chemicals
Bronchiolitis = Inflammation of bronchioles and increased mucus secretion due to RSV infection
What investigations would you use to diagnose bronchiolitis?
- CXR
2. Viral and bacterial swabs
What is the management of bronchiolitis?
- Supplemental O2
- Fluids, nutrition
- Airway support
What is the pathophysiology of chronic bronchitis?
Exposure to irritants and chemicals e.g. smoke –> as and hyperplasia of mucus secreting glands –> increased mucus –> airway obstruction. Neutrophil + macrophage involvement –> bronchi inflamed.
What is the usual cause of infective bronchitis?
Viral, acute bronchitis caused by adenovirus
What is the investigations in infective bronchitis?
CXR
Viral and bacterial swabs
What is the cause of chronic bronchitis?
Often tobacco smoking induced and can be aggravated by pollution and infections.
reversible!
How do you diagnose chronic bronchitis?
a persistent cough and sputum for >3months in 2 consecutive years.
What is the effect of chronic bronchitis on lung function?
- Reduced FEV1/FVC ratio
- Reduced PEFR
- Increased TLCO
What are the signs of chronic bronchitis?
- Chronic productive cough
- Wheeze and crackles
- Hypoxic + hypercapnic
- Cyanosis
- Vasoconstriction –> pulmonary hypertension cor pulmonale
How can chronic bronchitis cause cor pulmonale?
- Pulmonary vasoconstriction in lungs in an attempt to shunt blood to better ventilated alveoli
- Pulmonary hypertension –> RHF –> Cor Pulmonale
What is airway obstruction as defined by spirometry?
- FEV1 <80% predicted
2. FEV1/FVC <0.7
What is the pathophysiology of emphysema?
Irritants and chemicals trigger inflammatory mediators to release matrix destructive enzyme –> elastin destruction and enlargement of alveolar air spaces –> air trapping
What is the cause of emphysema?
- Tobacco smoke induced
- Associated with alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency (protease inhibitor) – tobacco smoke inhibits
- Coal dust exposure
What are the signs of emphysema?
- Pursed lip breathing
- SOB
- Barrel chest
- Weight loss
- CO2 retention
What happens in chronic emphysema?
- Patient may be hypercapnic, hypoxic and have progressive R side HF (Cor pulmonae).
- This is due to pulmonary vasoconstriction –> fibrosis and tissue destruction
What is a pleural fibroma?
Fibrous tumour of the pleura
What is a consequence of a pleural fibroma?
can grow to massive size and compress on lung tissue. Occasionally they secrete insulin related factors so produce hypoglycaemic symptoms
What is bronchiecstasis?
Irreversible and abnormal dilation of the bronchi with chronic inflammatory and fibrotic changes. Leads to a build-up of excess mucus and predisposes the person to chest infections.
What is the pathophysiology of bronchiecstasis?
- Failed mucocillary clearance and impaired immune function –> prone to infection
- Leads to inflammation and therefore progressive lung damage
Bronchitis –> bronchiectasis –> fibrosis
What is the cause of bronchiecstasis?
- Often post-infective e.g. previous pneumonia
- Congenital causes e.g. primary ciliary dyskinesia.
- 50% idiopathic
What bacteria cause bronchiecstasis?
- Haemophilus influenzae
- Pseudomonas aeruginosa
- Staph aureus
What are the symptoms of bronchiecstasis?
- Chronic productive cough
- Recurrent chest infection
- Dyspnoea and wheeze
- Recurrent exacerbations
- Chest pain
- Haemoptysis
What are the investigations necessary in bronchiecstasis?
- CT
- Spirometry –> obstructive
- Sputum culture
- CXR
What is the treatment for bronchiecstasis?
- Education
- Smoking cessation
- Annual influenzas + pneumococcal vaccinations
- Anti-inflammatories
- Bronchodilators
- Improved mucus Clearance
- Abx
What is inspiratory reserve volume?
Additional vol of air that can be forcible inhaled after a tidal volume inspiration.
What is expiratory reserve volume?
additional vol of air that can be forcibly exhaled after a tidal volume expiration
What is forced vital capacity?
The max volume of air that can be forcibly exhaled after maximal inhalation
What is total lung capacity?
the vital capacity + residual volume. Maximum amount the lungs can hold
What is residual volume?
Volume of air remaining in the lungs after a maximal inhalation
What is functional residual capacity?
Volume of air remaining in the lungs after a tidal volume exhalation
What is the definition of tidal volume?
volume of air moved in and out of the lungs during a normal breath
What is FEV1?
Volume of air that can be forcibly exhaled in 1 sec
What is peak expiratory flow?
greatest rate of airflow that can be obtained during forced expiration. Age sex and height can all affect PEF.
What is TLCO?
The extent to which O2 passes from the alveoli into the blood.
What two equations can work out TLC?
- TLC = VC+RV
2. TLC = TV + FRC + IRV
What is the normal tidal volume?
500ml
What is an equation for FRC?
ERV+RV
What is the transfer coefficient?
Ability of O2 To difuse across the alveolar membrane
How can you test the transfer coefficient?
Low dose CO is inspired, pt asked to hold breath for 10sec and the amount of gas transfer is measured
What diseases can cause a low transfer coefficient?
- Emphysema
- Anaemia
- Fibrosing alveolitis
What disease can cause a high transfer coefficient?
Pulmonary haemorrhage
How can you test respiratory function?
A 6 minute walk
What is a consolidation on a CXR?
Regions of the lung filled w/ liquid e.g. pulmonary oedema –> Areas appear white and dense.
What are 2 causes of breathlessness?
Heart disease, anaemia
What are 3 signs of an infection?
- Temperature
- Increased neutrophils
- Increased CRP
What is ANCA?
Anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (AI disorder)
What is the mechanism for ANCA?
- Activates neutrophils and monocytes, neutrophils adhere to endothelial cells
- Degranulation and free radicals are released
- Free radicals damage the endothelium, further neutrophil recruitment =+ve feedback
- This can cause vasculitis as it inflames the vessel wall.
ANCA associated vasculitis is caused by it.
What are the common effects of RA on the lung?
- Pleural effusion
- Fibrosing alveolitis
- Airway disorders e.g. bronchiolitis and bronchiectasis
What is Guillian Barre syndrome?
Demyelinating polyneuropathy - can present 6 weeks post flu/cmv
What 3 factors can affect TLCO?
- Alveoli/capillary interaction
- Hb concentration
- Cardiac output