Respiratory Flashcards
What is ARDS?
Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a non-cardiogenic pulmonary oedema and diffuse lung inflammation syndrome that often complicates critical illness.
What is the criteria for diagnosing ARDS?
Acute onset (within 1 week)
Bilateral opacities on chest x-ray
PaO₂/FiO₂ (arterial to inspired oxygen) ratio of ≤300 on positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) or continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) ≥5 cm H₂O
What are the Risk Factors of ARDS?
> Sepsis > Aspiration > Pneumonia > Severe Trauma and Blood Transfusions > Lung Transplantations > Pancreatitis > HX of alcohol > Burns and Smoke Inhalation > Drowning
What is the epidemiology of ARDS?
Overall, 10% to 15% of patients admitted to the intensive care unit meet the criteria for ARDS, with an increased incidence among mechanically ventilated patients.
What are the signs and symptoms of ARDS?
Low oxygen sats Acute respiratory failure dyspnoea Increased Resp Rate Pulmonary Crepitations Low lung Compliance Fever, cough and pleuritic chest pain
What investigations do you do for ARDS?
> CXR- bilateral infiltrates
ABG- Type 1 respiratory failure
Sputum/ Blood/ Urine Culture for infection
Amylase and lipase- 3 times upper limit of normal in acute pancreatitis
What is an Arterial Blood Gas?
An arterial blood gas (ABG) is a blood test carried out by taking blood from an artery, rather than a vein. It measures the level of gases and pH in the blood.
What are the indications of an arterial blood gas?
Respiratory failure - in acute and chronic states.Any severe illness which may lead to a metabolic acidosis - for example: Cardiac failure. Liver failure. Renal failure. …Ventilated patients.Sleep studies.Severely unwell patients from any cause - affects prognosis.
What are the contraindications of an ABG?
poor collateral circulation peripheral vascular disease in the limb cellulitis surrounding the site arteriovenous fistula. impaired coagulation (e.g. anticoagulation therapy, liver disease, low platelets <50)
What are some Asbestos related lung diseases?
AsbestosisLung cancer.MesotheliomaPleural effusionPleural plaquesThickening of the tissues around the lungs.
What is asbestosis?
Asbestosis is diffuse interstitial fibrosis of the lung as a consequence of exposure to asbestos fibres.
What are the risk factors of asbestosis?
> Inhaled asbestos
> Cigarette smoking
What are the signs and symptoms of asbestosis?
> Dyspnoea on exertion> cough> Crackles> Chest pain > (clubbing)
What is the epidemiology of asbestosis?
In 2016 in the UK, 1050 new cases of asbestosis were assessed under the Industrial Injuries and Disablement Benefit scheme; around 1-2% of these cases were female
What investigations would you do for asbestosis?
> CXR PA and lateral (lower zone linear interstitial fibrosis; progressively involves the entire lung; pleural thickening)> Pulmonary function tests (Restrictive changes, may have obstructive picture)> High res CT> Lung biopsy> Bronchial Lavage
What is mesothelioma?
Malignant mesothelioma is an aggressive epithelial neoplasm arising from the lining of the lung, abdomen, pericardium, or tunica vaginalis
What are the risk factors of mesothelioma?
> Asbestos> Age 60-85> Radiation> Genetics, male, simian virus 40
What are the signs and symptoms of mesothelioma?
> SOB> Diminished breath sounds> Dullness to percussion> Chest pain> cough> Constitutional symptoms
What is the epidemiology of mesothelioma?
The disease is more common in men and white people, and typically occurs in older adults (sixth to ninth decade of life).In the UK, the incidence has been increasing rapidly since the 1960s, when the mesothelioma register was established to record cases. Currently it is projected that the annual number of deaths in the UK will peak some time between the years 2011 and 2015, with 1950 to 2450 deaths.
What investigations would you do for mesothelioma?
> CXRUnilateral pleural effusion, irregular pleural thickening, reduced lung volumes, and/or parenchymal changes related to asbestos exposure (e.g., lower zone linear interstitial fibrosis)> CT Chest and Upper abdo with IV contrastPleural thickening and/or discrete pleural plaques, pleural and/or pericardial effusions; enlarged hilar and/or mediastinal lymph nodes; chest wall invasion and/or spread along needle tracts can occur
What is a pleural effusion?
A pleural effusion results when fluid collects between the parietal and visceral pleural surfaces of the thorax.
What are the signs and symptoms of a pleural effusion?
> SOB> Dullness to percussion> Pleuritic chest pain> Cough> Quieter breath sounds> Decreased or absent tactile fremitus
What are the risk factors of a pleural effusion?
> CHF> Pneumonia> Malignancy> Recent CABG
What is the epidemiology of pleural effusions?
About 1.5 million people develop a pleural effusion in the US each year.
What investigations would you do for pleural effusions?
For InfectionCXRBloods- FBC, CRPPleural fluid- cytology, culture, pH, glucose and cholesterol, WBC, RBCSputum Gram stain and cultureFor Cardiac CausesCXRN-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-pro-BNP) in pleural fluidLDH and protein in pleural fluid and serumFor MalignancyBloodsPleural fluid- pH, glucose and cholesterol, WBC, RBC
What is Aspergillosis?
Filamentous fungi of the Aspergillus species are ubiquitously found as soil inhabitants. Inhalation of the aerosolised conidia (spores) causes the infection.
What are the risk factors of Aspergillosis?
> allogeneic stem cell transplantation> prolonged severe neutropenia (>10 days)> immunosuppressive therapy> chronic granulomatous disease (CGD)> solid organ transplantation (SOT)> acute leukaemia> aplastic anaemia> pre-existing cavity (aspergilloma)
What are the signs and symptoms of Aspergillosis?
> Pleuritic chest pain> Pleural rub> Nasal ulcer> Skin rash> Cough> Headache> Fever> Congestion or sinus tenderness> Haemoptysis/ dyspnoea/ facial pain/ seizure/ malaise/ weight loss
What is the epidemiology of Aspergillosis?
Usually in immunocompromised hosts such as cancer and transplant patients
What investigations would you do for aspergillosis?
> CXR- nodules, infiltrates, cavities, lesions> High resolution CT of chest, sinuses and brain- nodules, masses, bone erosions, local lesions> MRI brain and sinuses- sinus opacity, bone erosion, space occupying lesion> Sputum smear and culture- shows hyphae and aspergillus species> Serum Aspergillus galactomannan antigen by EIA- positive
What is Asthma?
A chronic inflammatory airway disease characterised by intermittent airway obstruction and bronchial hyper-reactivity. May include cells like mast cells, eosinophils, T lymphocytes, macrophages, neutrophils and epithelial cells.
What are the risk factors of asthma?
Family historyAllergensAtopic history (bronchoconstriction and airway oedema)Cold air/ smoking/ exercise/ infection/ NSAIDsNasal polyposisObesityGastro oesophageal reflux Inflammatory cells, goblet cells, smooth muscle constriction
What are the signs and symptoms of asthma?
Intermittent dyspnoeaWheeze (exploratory polyphonic)Chest tightnessCoughSputumDiurnal variation/ disturbed sleepTachypnoea; audible wheeze; hyperinflated chest; hyperresonant percussion note; air entry decreased ; widespread, polyphonic wheeze.
What is the epidemiology of asthma?
Affects 5-8% of the population. 10-15% in UKCan have ‘childhood asthma’50% 0f asthma deaths in >65 yrs340 million people globally
What investigations do you do for asthma?
PEFR- <33 (life threatening), 33-50 (severe), chronic is variableSputum culture- for bugs or eosinophilsBloodsFBC- eosinophilia or neutrophiliaU&ECRPCultureIgE total and specific ABGPaCO2 normal or raised, transfer to ITUSpirometry Obstructive defect (reduced ratio, under 0.7)CXR (excludes pneumothorax or infection)FeNO fractional exhaled nitric oxide Measures eosinophilic inflammationMeasures responsiveness to steroid Positive = 40 ppb (smoking lowers)Bronchodilator reversibility testlooking for improvement > 12%Also volume improvement of 200mlBronchial challenge nebuliser histamine PC20 < 8mg/ml is positive (20% fall in FEV1)
What is the management of acute asthma?
AcuteNebulised salbutamol O2 IV hydrocortisone and PO prednisoloneBudesonide (INH)Salmeterol (LABA)aminophylline
What is the prognosis of asthma?
Relatively normalHigher risk of airway related issuesICS can pose risks
What is the difference between a severe and life threatening asthma attack?
Severe attack: inability to complete sentences; pulse >110bpm; respiratory rate >25/min; PEF 33–50% predicted.Life-threatening attack: silent chest; confusion; exhaustion; cyanosis (PaO2 <8 kPabut PaCO2 4.6–6.0, SpO2 <92%); bradycardia; PEF <33% predicted. Near fatal: increased PaCO2.
What are the complications of asthma?
Exacerbations- oxygen, nebulisers, hydrationAirway remodelling- Candidiasis (INH steroids)- anti fungals like fluconazoleDysphonia (INH steroids)- change inhalers
What is the management of chronic asthma?
ChronicSABA (salbutamol)INH corticosteroid (budesonide/ beclomethasone)LABA (salmeterol)Leukotriene receptor antagonist (montelukast)/ theophylline/ nedocromil or cromoglicate
What is bronchiectasis?
Bronchiectasis is the permanent dilation of bronchi due to the destruction of the elastic and muscular components of the bronchial wall.
What are the risk factors of bronchiectasis?
CFImmunodeficiencyPrevious infectionCongenitalPrimary ciliary dyskinesiaMeasles, tb, whooping coughAlpha 1 antitrypsin deficiency, connective tissue disease, IBD, aspiration or inhalation injury, focal bronchial obstruction, (tall, thin, white females over 60), thyroiditis
What are the signs and symptoms of bronchiectasis?
CoughSOBSputum (lots of foul smelling)FatigueHaemoptysisRhinosinusitisWeight lossWheezingPleuritic chest painCrackles (mid or early DyspnoeaFeverClubbing
What is the epidemiology of bronchiectasis?
Prevalence may be increasing worldwideMore common in older peopleIncidence = 1-2 per 100,000
What are the investigations for bronchiectasis?
CXRNormal or obscured hemidiaphragm Thin walled ring shadows with ot without fluid levels, tram lines, tubular or ovoid opacitiesSignet ringHigh-resolution chest CTThickened dilated airways with ot without air fluid levels, varicose constrictions along airwaysFBCHigh eosinophil countBronchopulmonary aspergillosisNeutrophiliasputum culture and sensitivityG+ve/G-ve/non TB Mycobacteria/ fungiserum alpha-1 antitrypsin phenotype and levelMay be abnormalserum immunoglobulinsDecreased IgG, IgM or IgAsweat chloride testHigh or lowrheumatoid factorMay be positiveAspergillus fumigatus skin prick testserum HIV antibodynasal nitric oxide (NNO)pulmonary function tests
What are the complications of bronchiectasis?
Massive haemoptysis> Breathing and circulation support> Interventional radiologistRespiratory failure> Airway protection Cor pulmonale> May require transplantationBrain abscessAmyloidosis Pneumonia, sinusitis
What is the management of bronchiectasis?
Exercise and improved nutritionAirway clearance therapyInhaled bronchodilatorInhaled hyperosmolar agentLong term oral macrolideInhaled antibioticShort term oral antibioticIV antibioticsSurgeryNon invasive ventilationSupplemental oxygen
What is the prognosis of bronchiectasis?
IrreversibleSymptom control and exacerbationsSeverity indexQuality of life may be affected19% after 14 yrs
What is COPD?
A progressive disorder characterised by airway obstruction (FEV1/FVC < 0.7) that is irreversible (i.e. salbutamol won’t help). It encompasses emphysema and chronic bronchitis.
What are the risk factors of COPD?
Age of onset >35SmokingPollutionGeneticsBeing white/ male/ poorAbnormal lung development
What is the epidemiology of COPD?
Prevalence = 10-20% of the over- 40s2.5 x 10^6 deaths per year worldwide