Respiratory (NEW) Flashcards

1
Q

PE evaluation

A

Hx

  • Dyspnoea
  • Pleuritic chest pain
  • DVT risk factors (Well’s = NICE TOPS)
  • > neoplasia
  • > immobility/surgery
  • > calf swollen
  • > entire leg swollen
  • > tender along veinous drainage
  • > oedema unilaterally
  • > paralysis/paresis
  • > superficial veins prominent
  • Occasionally
  • > cough
  • > haemoptosis
  • > syncope/presyncope

Exam

  • vitals
  • > tachypnoea
  • > tachycardia
  • > hypoxaemia
  • > sometimes febrile
  • RV strain
  • > elevated JVP
  • > parasternal heave
  • > prominent P2
  • Lungs
  • > wheeze
  • > decreased breath sounds
  • Legs
  • > DVT

Haemodynamically unstable

  • cardiac arrest
  • obstructive shock
  • persistent hypotension

ECG

  • non specific changes (RV strain)
  • ddx’s
FBC
-anaemia/thrombocytopaenia
->anticoagulation risk
EUC
-anticoagulant risk
-contrast risk
Coags
-need INR/PT/aPTT 
LFTs
-anticoagulation risk
Coags
-INR and aPTT (anti-coagulation)
Cardiac biomarkers
-troponin/NT-BNP/BNP
-use when PE confirmed to risk stratify management 
bHCG
-pregnant female (thrombolysis)
CXR
-usually normal
->use for ddx's
-PE findings
->hamptoms hump
->westermarks sign
CTPA
->intra-luminal filling defect
Echo
-use
->haemodynamically unstable
->risk stratify management
-evidence of RV dysfunction is suggestive
-rule out alternative ddx's
Lower limb compression ultrasound
-evidence of DVT
V/Q scan
-use when contraindicated to CTPA
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2
Q

PE management

A

UNSTABLE

  • primary survey
  • initial stabilisation
  • > high flow O2/consider intubation
  • > consider fluid (might exacerbate HF)
  • immediate thrombolysis + anticoagulation (UFH)
  • follow up investigations
  • > Echo first line

STABLE

Lower limb compression ultrasound

  • evidence of DVT
  • > begin anticoagulation

Pretest probability

  • Well’s PE
  • > less than 4 = PE unlikely
  • > greater than 4 = PE likely
  • Geneva

PE likely

  • start anticoagulation then confirm with CTPA
  • don’t do D dimer
  • > can’t rule out PE even if low (FN=5%)

PE unlikely

  • PERC rule
  • > 0/8 criteria = PE ruled out, consider ddx’s
  • > anything higher = D dimer

D-Dimer

  • normal <500
  • > rule out PE, consider ddx’s
  • abnormal >500
  • > start anticoagulation then confirm with CTPA

RISK STRATIFY MANAGEMENT

  • High risk
  • > sPESI >0 with +ive echo/CTPA + biomarkers
  • > in patient anticoagulation
  • > monitor closely, consider thrombolysis if deterioration
  • Intermediate risk
  • > sPESI=/>0 with either/both echo/CTPA + biomarkers -ive
  • > inpatient anticoagulation
  • Low risk
  • > sPESI = O with -ive echo/CTPA + biomarkers
  • > consider outpatient anticoagulation

ANTICOAGULATION

  • active phase
  • > LMWH, fondapiranux apixaban, rivaroxaban
  • > consider contraindications/renal and liver function
  • > continue for 3 months
  • at 3 months
  • > consider ceasing if provoked
  • > continue >3 months if unprovoked
  • continued therapy
  • > DOAC (apixaban/rivaroxaban preferred)
  • > warfarin (overlap therapy with parenteral anticoagulant for 5 days or INR>2 for 24 hrs, whichever is longer)
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3
Q

Pneumothorax evaluation and management

A

Hx

  • ipsilateral pleuritic chest pain
  • dyspnoea
  • primary
  • > often occurs at rest
  • > can pin point time
  • secondary
  • > hx of COPD
  • traumatic
  • > trauma
  • > procedure

Exam

  • decreased chest expansion
  • ipsilateral
  • > hyperinflation
  • > hyper-resonance
  • > decreased breath sounds
  • evidence of underlying respiratory disease?

Tension

  • severe dyspnoea/WOB
  • tachycardia
  • anxious
  • diaphoresis
  • cyanosis
  • tracheal deviation to contralateral side
  • widening of intercostal spaces
  • syncope/pre-syncope
CXR
-visceral pleural line
-no lung markers lateral to line
-subcutaenous emphysema 
-evidence of underlying lung disease
Consider
-CT chest
->mutlitrauma/occult/secondary 

Tension management

  • immediate needle decompression
  • > 2/3rd interspace, midclavicular line
  • do not delay for investigations
  • chest tube required for all

Primary/secondary/traumatic management

  • high flow O2
  • > increase rate of spontaneous resolution
  • consider need for hospitalisation
  • > primary often discharged after several hrs
  • > older/secondary/traumatic = chest tube + inpatient
  • expectant management if small and stable
  • needle aspiration if large
  • consider chest tube
  • > seldinger technique in triangle of safety
  • > attach to one way valve
  • > consider suction if persistent air leak

British thoracic society algorithm

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