Pulmonology Flashcards
(290 cards)
Treatment acute asthma exacerbation
BIOMES
Beta-agonists Ipratropium Oxygen Mg sulfate Epinephrine Steroids
Which disease causes a low V/Q ratio?
V/Q mismatch is a ventilation to perfusion mismatch -
A low V:Q ratio could occur with decreased ventilation or a relative increased perfusion
Disease that could cause decreased ventilation:
Pneumonia - consolidation in alveoli
COPD - dec gas coming into alveoli b/c of mucus thickening/build up
Pulm edema - fluid overload in lungs (in alveoli)
What is perfusion with absolutely no ventilation called?
Pulmonary shunt
What is ventilation?
Ventilation is the amount of air/gas traveling into alveoli ready for gas exchange
This is abbreviated V
What is perfusion?
Amount of blood flow to the alveoli that is prepared for gas exchange as well
This is abbreviated Q
How does COPD affect ventilation and perfusion of the lungs?
Decreases ventilation because of mucus plugs in terminal alveoli (chronic bronchitis = mucus & inflammation)
LATE stage COPD also decreases perfusion b/c the capillary beds of the alveoli are destroyed
What is the local response to a low V:Q ratio?
The resultant hypoxemia = local vasoconstriction = pulmonary HTN = RAE/RVH = R-HF = cor pulmonale
What pulmonary diseases cause a HIGH V/Q ratio?
HIGH V/Q ratio = no perfusion! (denominator small)
Pulmonary embolism - clot cuts off blood supply (perfusion) to capillary beds - absolute = called dead space
Also in late stage COPD capillary beds are destroyed = decreased perfusion
Pathophysiology of chronic bronchitis of COPD
Causes inc or decrease V/Q?
What does it lead to terminally if not addressed?
“Blue bloaters”
Pathophys: Chronic inflammation, increased mucus hyper-secretion = chronic productive cough.
= Decreased ventilation (O2/air into lungs) 2/2 mucus plug in terminal alveoli = alveolar hypoxia - O2 not getting thru to alveoli efficiently = hypercapnea (too much CO2 = resp acidosis) and decreased O2 in blood - (body will make more to compensate = inc Hgb = polycythemia)
Dec O2 getting in = dec O2 in blood & inc CO2 in blood = alveolar hypoxia = pulm vessel constriction to shunt blood to healthier alveoli = inc pulm vasc pressure = pulmonary hypertension = backflow of blood to R side of heart = right sided heart failure = cor pulmonale = inc JVD
THIS IS WHY chronic bronchitis of COPD is classically a/w right heart failure 2/2 pulm HTN (cor pulmonale) & why the only medical treatment that reduces mortality is in COPD is oxygen (O2 reduces the hypoxic vasoconstriction)
Low O2 in = CYANOTIC = BLUE BLOATERS
Pathophysiology of emphysema?
Emphysema = “pink puffers”
Prominent thoracic cage, barrel-chested, cachectic (muscle wasting)….but why?
Inflammatory response from cigarette toxins (macro = cytokines = WBC-producing elastase prod) = breakdown of elastic fibers & destruction of alveolar walls = loss of alveolar integrity/recoil = AIR TRAPPING = a ton of gas left in alveoli even after you expire b/c they’re not elastically recoiling like they’re supposed to so you can’t get air out = inc end expiratory volume = BARREL CHEST - usually expiration = passive - use a TON of energy & accessory muscles to try to get more air out & to breathe air in = pink puffer - dyspnea & cachexia
Destruction of wall = decreased ventilation b/c of loss of elastic recoil
Destruction of wall and capillary beds = decreased perfusion
Emphysema = matched V/Q deficit - have dec O2 and inc CO2 in blood - same hypoxemia & hypercapnea that occurs in chronic bronchitis but not as severe
Pathologic description: abnormal permanent enlargement of terminal airspaces
Definition of chronic bronchitis
Productive cough x3 months for two consecutive years
Why are patients with chronic bronchitis from COPD prone to microbial infections?
Because mucus plugging & mucociliary escalator destruction = body can’t get bugs out & perfect environment for bac to grow :(
What is the most common symptom of emphysema?
Dyspnea
Describe a patient with severe emphysema?
PINK PUFFER
DYSPNEIC
Accessory muscle use, tachypnea, prolonged expiration, cachectic, pursed-lip breathing
Describe a patient with chronic bronchitis?
BLUE BLOATER
Chronic productive cough = HALLMARK SYMPTOM
Obese & cyanotic
PE of chronic bronchitis vs emphysema
Emphysema: Hyper-resonance to percussion Decreased breath sounds Decreased tactile fremitus Barrel chested (inc AP diameter) Pursed lip breathig
Chronic bronchitis:
Rales (crackles), wheezing that changes in location w/ cough, signs of cor pulmonale (peripheral edema, cyanosis)
V/Q mismatch in emphysema vs chronic bronchitis
Emphysema: Matched V/Q defects, mild hypoxemia
Chronic bronchitis: Severe V/Q mismatch = severe hypoxemia, hypercapnia
ABG/Labs in chronic bronchitis vs emphysema
Chronic bronchitis: Respiratory acidosis - retention of CO2 and increased Hct/RBC count (polycythemia) 2/2 chronic hypoxia that stimulates EPO)
Emphysema - either
What is the gold standard for diagnosis of COPD?
PFTs/Spirometry
FEV1 < 1 L = inc mortality
FEV1/FVC < 0.7 = obstructive lung dz
More emphysema =
Decreased DLCO
Hyperinflation = increased lung volumes - TLC, RV etc
CXR findings in emphysema
Emphysema: Hyperinflation Flat diaphragm Inc AP diameter Dec vascular markings \+/- bullae/blebs
Chronic bronchitis:
Inc vascular markings
Enlarged right heart border
EKG findings chronic bronchitis
Remember chronic bronchitis = cor pulmonale eventually b/c chronic local hypoxemia = vasoconstriction = pulm HTN = RAE/RVH = R-HF = cor pulmonale
ON EKG:
RAE = p wave amplitude > 2.5 mm)
RVH = RAD, poor r wave progression
Signs R-heart strain etc (s wave in 1, Q in 3, T in 3)
Atrial enlargement = afib/flutter, or multifocal atrial tachycardia
Triggers for COPD exacerbation
Pollutants, beta blockers (non-selective = bronchoconstriction), infections (viral bronchitis, bacterial pna (HCAP)
What is the most important step in the management of COPD?
Smoking cessation
What is the mainstay of COPD treatment?
Besides smoking cessation (= most important management tool), anti-muscarinics to initiate bronchodilation - prevents broncho-constriction - opens up airways, gets more air in