COPD Patho Flashcards
What is chronic bronchitis?
inflammation and excess mucus in medium sized bronchi
What is emphysema?
breakdown of alveolar membranes
Risk factors for COPD?
-smoking
-genes
-pollutants
-infections
-socio-economic status
-AGE
At what age does COPD prevalence increased?
> 40 years old, highest in >60 years old
What is the general pathogenesis pathway to COPD?
exposure to pollutants -> inflammation -> tissue destruction -> bronchitis or emphysema -> airflow limitation
What role do antiproteases have?
protective of lung tissue
What role do proteases have?
destructive of lung tissue
What role do oxidants have?
-inflammation
-inhibit antiprotease activity which decreases lung elasticity
What are the principle features of chronic bronchitis?
-inflammation (leading to airway narrowing and loss of function of epithelium-inability to clear mucus)
-mucus glands hypertrophy: increased mucus production
-bronchial smooth muscle hypertrophy
-bronchial hyperresponsiveness
True or false: lung parenchyma is damaged in chronic bronchitis
False
What is the pathogenesis of emphysema?
-deficiency of antiproteases caused by excessive oxidant exposure and injury (inflammation)
-elastin breakdown
-damage of lung parenchyma
What is alpha-1 antitrypsin?
antiprotease
What is the difference in type of cells involved in COPD vs Asthma?
COPD: neutrophils, large increase in macrophages, increase in CD8+ T-cells
Asthma: eosinophils, small increase in macrophages, increase in CD4+ T-cells
Which mediators are involved in COPD?
-leukotriene b4
-IL-8
-TNF-alpha
What are the structural consequences of inflammation in COPD?
-squamous metaplasia
-parenchymal destruction
-mucus metaplasia
-musuc gland hypertrophy
What is the normal V/Q ratio?
0.8
What does a low V/Q ratio indicate?
hypoventilation, a decrease in PO2
What does a high V/Q ratio indicate?
hypoperfusion, an increase in PCO2
