SOB

Question 1

What are the causes of acute breathlessness?

Answer 1

• Asthma
• Anaphylaxis
• Acute LVF
• Arrythmia
• PE
• Acute exacerbation of COPD
• Pneumonia
• Pneumothorax
• Choking
• SVC obstruction
• Hyperventilation

Question 2

What are the clinical features of acute LVF?

Answer 2

• sudden acute breathlessness
• fatigue
• pink frothy sputum
• tachycardia - gallop rythm
• coarse crackles
• ankle & sacral oedema if RHF present
• hypotension

Question 3

How would you mx acute LVF?

Answer 3

• call ambulance
• sit pt up
• be assuring
• give 100% O2 if no COPD. 24% if COPD
• IV furosemide 40-80mg slowly
• IV morphine 2.5-5mg over 5 mins
• IV metoclopromide 10mg IV
• GTN spray 2 puffs sblingually