Respiratory Physiology Flashcards
What are the contraindications for spirometry?
Haemoptysis of unknown cause
Pneumothorax
Unstable cardiovascular status
Recent MI or PE
Thoracic/abdo/ocular aneurysm
Recent thoracic/abdo/ocular surgery
Nausea/vomiting
What is the expected annual decline in FEV1 each year?
Approx 25ml/year
Nb. healthy pt expires 80% of lung volume in first second
What measurements would make spirometry reproducible?
3xFEV1 + FVC within 150ml
Max 8 tries
Difference of 5% between insp and exp volume allowed
What are spirometry criteria for obstructive airways disease?
FEV1/FVC <0.7
<0.65 if over 65
What does flow-volume loop look like in obstructive airways disease?
Scalloped expiration
What does flow-volume loop look like in coughing?
Sudden drops of flow rate to 0 before returning back to curve
What does flow-volume loop look like in exercise-induced asthma?
Gets smaller each time
What is the underlying cause of a flow volume loop where the fastest flow is reach after 0.1 seconds? E.g more even looking curve up and down in expiration?
Poor technique - expired too slow. Should get fastest rate (PEFR) within 0.1 seconds
What is the z-score on spirometry?
Number of standard deviations away from mean. Normal is within 1.64
What does flow-volume loop look like in restrictive lung disease?
Normal shape but don’t reach FVC
What is the diagnosis in a flow volume loop with a flattened inspiratory curve?
Variable extrathoracic obstruction
- vocal cord paralysis
- extrathoracic goitre
- laryngeal tumour
–> expiratory part normal as obstruction pushed outwards by force of expiration
What is the diagnosis in a flow volume loop with a flattened expiratory curve?
Variable intrathoracic obstruction?
- Tracheal tumour
–> inspiratory part normal as tumour sucked out during inspiration
What is the diagnosis in a flow volume loop with flattened inspiratory and expiratory curves?
Fixed large airway obstruction
- Tracheal stenosis
- Circular tracheal tumour
- Granulomatosis with polyangitis
A patient with COPD is going on holiday and asks re air travel. His SATS are 96% on air. He gets breathless when hurrying on the level. What assessment does he need?
None (nb. MRC 2)
If SATS ≥95% on RA and MRC ≤ 2, then no hypoxic challenge or oxygen required
MRC 1 - SOB on vigourous exercise
2 - hurrying level or walking up slight hill
3 - slower than ppl of same age or stop while walking on level
4 - stop after 100m
5- can’t leave house or SOB on dressing
A patient with COPD is going on holiday and asks re air travel. His SATS are 93% on air. He has to stop to catch his breath after 100m. He has a hx of T2RF but doesn’t use NIV. What assessment does he need?
Hypoxic challenge (unless already done and no recent hospital admissions, exacerbations or significant changes to treatment)
Results - if PaO2 ≥6.6 or SATS ≥85% (90 for CF) then nothing. Otherwise needs O2 to get above this.
Nb. MRC score irrelevant (4 in this case) as SATS <95% on air. If were above, then if MRC ≥3, would need 6MWT/shuttle walk.
A patient with COPD is going on holiday and asks re air travel. His SATS are 93% on air. He has no hx of T2RF. What assessment does he need?
None - can safely be given 2 litres O2 on plane.
- if at risk of T2RF, would need hypoxic challenge
- if already on LTOT, then would get 2 litres more than normal setting (would still need hypoxic challenge if T2RF)
A patient with COPD is going on holiday and asks re air travel. His SATS are 96% on air. He gets breathless when while walking on a level. What assessment does he need?
MRC 3 therefore needs 6MWT/shuttle walk - if SATS <84% + hx/risk of T2RF, then hypoxic challenge. Otherwise 2litres O2.
MRC 1 - SOB on vigourous exercise
2 - hurrying level or walking up slight hill
3 - slower than ppl of same age or stop while walking on level
4 - stop after 100m
5- can’t leave house or SOB on dressing
What SATS would you expect a healthy person to have on a plane?
> 90%
Does pt who has had previous significant intolerance to plane travel e.g. emergency O2/diversion need hypoxic challenge?
No - can give 2litres O2. Unless T2RF risk then needs.
Pt has severe asthma and symptoms not controlled. Want to travel on plane. Do they need tests?
Yes - need hypoxic challenge
Pt has lung disease and FEV1<50%. Do they need tests?
Yes. Hypoxic challenge
Pt has ILD. Wants to travel on plane. What do you need to know?
Needs hypoxic challenge if rest PaO2 ≤9.42 or TLCO≤50% and SATS<95% with 6MWT or shuttle walk
If already on LTOT then can just increase by 2 litres
Pt has resp muscle weakness or chest wall deformity. What are indications for hypoxic challenge?
FVC <1litre (or risk/hx of T2RF)
Results - if PaO2 ≥6.6 or SATS ≥85% (90 for CF) then nothing. Otherwise needs O2 to get above this.
How long after thoracic surgery can pt travel on plane?
4 weeks (2 weeks if essential)
How do you manage asthma/copd exacerbation on board plane?
Normal inhalers
How long after PNX can pt travel on plane?
1 week after CXR resolution
How long after interventional bronch (transbronch biopsy, EBUS, valves etc) can pt travel on plane?
1 week