Respiratory Medicine Flashcards
What is haemoptysis?
Coughing up blood originating from the respiratory tract below the level of the larynx
What pathological effect to muscarinic receptor antagonists have in patients with COPD?
They suppress inflammation and remodelling of the airways
What respiratory problems may be seen in patients with RA?
- Pulmonary fibrosis
- Pleural effusion
- Pulmonary nodules
- Bronchiolitis obliterans
- Methotrexate pneumonitis
- Pleurisy
- Infection secondary to immunosuppression
What is the most appropriate investigation to diagnose COPD?
Spirometry
What are the expected spirometry results for a patients suspected of having COPD?
FEV1/FVC ratio <0.70
What is COPD?
A disease state characterised by airflow limitation that is not fully reversible. It encompasses both emphysema and chronic bronchitis
What is the pathophysiology behind COPD?
Chronic inflammation affecting tissues of the lungs causes repeated injury. The repair of this injury leads to structural and inflammatory changes
What physiological changes occur in COPD lungs?
- Narrowing and remodelling of airways
- Increased goblet cells
- Enlargement of mucus secreting glands of the central airways
- Alveolar loss
- Vascular bed changes leading to pulmonary hypertension
What are the key diagnostic factors for COPD?
- Chronic, productive cough
- Dyspnoea
- Exposure to risk factors e.g. smoker, industrial worker
What is the treatment for COPD?
- Long-acting muscarinic antagonists such as tiotropium
- Long-acting beta-2 agonists such as salmeterol
With a short-acting bronchodilator (salbutamol or ipratropium) and pulmonary rehab
What are the complications associated with COPD?
- Cor pulmonale
- Lung cancer
- Recurrent pneumonia
- Depression
- Pneumothorax
- Respiratory failure
- Anaemia
- Polycythaemia
