COPD Flashcards
(111 cards)
Chronic rsp sx caused by airway abnormalities (bronchitis) and/or alveoli abnormalities (emphysema) that cause persistent, progressive airflow obstruction
COPD
2 pathophysiologic categories of COPD
Chronic bronchitis
Emphysema
COPD typically occurs in the setting of ___ ___ that emit noxious particles/gases
combustible products
cigs, environment
____ + ____ are key physiologic markers of COPD
airflow obstruction
extensive airway destruction
Small airways are narrowed by a number of factors:
Immune cells, molecules, mucus, fibrotic tissue
The pattern of pathologic change depends on the features of the individual’s underlying disease: (3)
Chronic bronchitis, emphysema, alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency
3 MC sx of COPD
coughing
dyspnea
sputum production
associated sx of COPD
- Weight gain
- Weight loss - has worse prognosis
- Activity limitation
- Wheezing +/- chest tightness
- Syncope
- Anxiety / depressive symptoms
- Increased respiratory rate
- Signs of heavy smoking - Yellowing of fingers / nails
risk factors of COPD
- Family history
- Smoking history - Consider age at initiation, average amount smoked per day since initiation, cessation date if applicable
- Environmental history - Secondhand smoke exposure, air pollution, occupational exposure
- History of childhood pulmonary infections, HIV, or TB
- Asthma
PE findings of mild COPD
often normal
may pick up on prolonged expiration, faint end-expiratory wheeze with forced expiration
PE findings of mod/severe COPD
Lung hyperinflation → ↑ resonance with percussion
Decreased breath sounds, wheezes
Crackles at lung bases
Distant heart sounds
Increased AP diameter
PE findings of end-stage/chronic rsp failure
- Tripod posturing
- calloused forearms, swollen bursae on extensor surface of forearms - Use of accessory muscles for breathing
- Expiring through pursed lips
- Hoover’s sign → lower intercostal interspace retraction during inspiration
- Cyanosis
- Rarely nail clubbing
presentation of chronic bronchitis vs emphysema
- Chronic Bronchitis
- Obese, stocky
- Productive cough >3 months for 2 consecutive years
- Coarse rhonchi / wheezing
- Hepatomegaly
- Increased JVP
- Peripheral edema
- complications: Cor pulmonale - emphysema
- Thin, barrel chest
- Scant cough & sputum
- Expiration with pursed lips
- Hyperresonant percussion
- Wheezing, rales
- Complications: Pneumothorax
ddx for COPD
Anemia
Heart failure
Asthma
Interstitial lung disease
Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency
Bronchiectasis¹
Tuberculosis
Obliterative bronchiolitis
Diffuse panbronchiolitis
when to screen for COPD? what critieria?
what is the score signifying COPD?
at least 1 of the 3 cardinal sx OR
gradual decline in activity with risk factors for COPD
CAPTURE Questionnaire
score 2-4 = COPD
Performed before and after bronchodilator administration
spirometry
how is COPD diagnosed thru spirometry
- irreversible or partially reversible airflow limitation after bronchodilator administration
- Evidence of obstruction: FVC > 80% with FEV₁/FVC < 0.7
additional testing/work-up for COPD
Pulse ox every visit
Labs - CBC, BMP, TSH, BNP/NT-proBNP, serum alpha-1 antitrypsin
CXR
Measures amount and speed of air inhaled and exhaled
PFT
Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 second
FEV1
Similar to spirometry but includes analysis of intrathoracic volume
Plethysmography
when should you use Diffusing Capacity of Lungs
- In presence of moderate / severe airflow limitations (FEV₁ ≤50% predicted)
- Resting O2 ≤92%
- Exertional hypoxemia (<90%)
- Severe dyspnea (mMRC ≥2)
is DLCO necessary for routine assessment for COPD?
naurr
Great assessment for the severity of emphysema
DLCO