Resp Flashcards
What are the two types of asthma?
Eosinophillic = associated with allergy, T cells recruit eosinophills which damge the epitherlium leading to inflammation and mucus production Non-eosinophillic = influenced by smoking an dobesity, involves neutrophils instead of eosinophills
What is the atopic triad?
Eczema, Hayfever and Asthma
S&S of asthma?
Episodic polyphonic expiratory wheeze with cough and dysponea. There will be diurnal variation (worst between 3-5am) and may be hyperinflation of the chest.
Symptoms worsened by Bera-blockers and aspirin
Tests for asthma?
FEV1:FVC < 70% as FEV1 <80% but FVC is normal
Eosinophillic = increased eosinophils, do FENO test.
Atopy tests, no crackles or sputum in the lungs
Treatment for asthma?
Avoid allergens and quit smoking/lose weight
Bronchodilators (Beta-2 agoinsts e.g. SA - Salbutamol and LA - salmeterol) or anticholinergics (tiotropium).
Severe cases = inhaled steroids.
Omalizumab/mepolizumab in severe eosinophilic disease.
Bronchial thermoplasty
What is the diagnostic criteria for severe asthma?
1 of = continuous steroid treatment needed or high dose inhaled steroids neededd
2 of = additional reliever medication needed, FEV1 < 20%, > 1 A&E visit per year, >3 steroid courses per year, rapid deterioration with 25% steroid reduction or any near fatal event
What is brittle asthma?
A rare form of severe asthma which is unpredictable and difficult to control. It can be life threatening
When should you admit an asthma attack to hospital, what are the criteria?
Severe (1 of) = PEFR 33-50%, RR >25, HR >110, inability to complete scentences
Life-theatening (1 of) = PEFR <33%, PaO2 <8kPa, PaCO2 >4.6kPa, exhaustion/confusion/coma, arrythmia/hypotension, silent chest/cyanosis
Treatment of asthma attack?
Salbutamol nebulised with oxygen, prednisolone (IV/PO), add ipratropium if no improvement.
Concider ICU admission.
Measure PEFR 20 mins after nebulising and take ABG (repete every 2 hours)
What criteria must be met to discharge a patient after an acute astma attack?
Achieve PEFR >75% with <25% diurnal variation
Been stable on discharge medication for >24 hours
Had inhaler technique checked
Have their own PEF meter and management plant
Steroids and bronchodilator therapy to take home
GP appointment <48hrs booked
Resp clinic appointment <4 weeks booked
What is COPD?
Progressive disease of irreversible airway obstruction.
Is a combination of chronic bronchitits (airway inflammation and mucus = increased airway resistance) and emphysema (loss of alveolar attachments and decreased elastic recoil)
What are the 2 main causes of COPD?
Smoking, Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency
S&S of COPD?
Dysponea, wheeze and productive cough with minimal diurnal variation. There will be tachyponea, hyperressonant percussion and hyperinflation/barrel chest due to use of accessory muscles to breath
What is the scoring system used to grade COPD dysponea?
MRC dysponea score (mMRC = US, same but 0-4) 1 = SOB on marked exertion 2 = SOB on hills 3 = has to slow or stop on flat 4 = tolerates 100-200 yards on flat 5 = housebound/ SOB at minor tasks
Treatment for COPD?
Bronchodilators = Beta-agonists (SA - salbutamol, LA - salmeterol) or anti-cholinergics (e.g. tiotropium), inhaled corticosteroids, oxygen therapy with/without NIV, mucolytics, lung transplant/volume reduction surgery
How is COPD classified?
Stage 1 = FEV1 >80%, chronic cough and no-mild SOB
Stage 2 = FEV1 50-79%, SOB on exertion
Stage 3 = FEV1 30-49%, SOB on low exertion
Stage 4 = FEV1 <30%, SOB at rest
Pink Puffers vs Blue Bloaters?
PP = increased alveolar ventilation normal O2/CO2, emphysematous and weight loss - breathless but NOT cyanosed BB = decreased alveolar ventilation, low PaO2/high PaCO2, cyanosed but not breathless - may relt on hypoxic drive to breath
What is bronchiectasis?
Chronic inflammation of the bronchi/bronchioles leading to permanent dilation and thickening of the airway. Patients struggle to clear the airways and suffer frequent infections
Causes of bronchiectasis?
Pneumonia, granulamotous disease e.g. TB, measlesm whooping cough, CF, HIV, foreign body, allergy or tumour
S&S of bronchiectasis?
Nail clubbing, wheeze, foul-smelling purluent sputum, chest pain, dysponea and intermitent haemoptyisis
Treatment of bronchiectasis?
Chest physio, postural drainage, mucolytics, anti-imflammatories e.g. long-term azithromycin, surgery if local disease and bronchodilators
What is idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis?
A type of ILD characterised by progressive chronic pulmonary fibrosis with minimal/abscent inflammation and collagen deposition leading to loss of elasticity and loss of gas exchange ability. Restrictive lung disease.
S&S of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis?
dry cough with or without sputum, exertional dysponea, cyanosis, weight loss, finger clubbing and fine bi-basal crackling
Treatment for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis?
Ambulatory oxygen, pulmonary rehab, pirfenidone to reduce FVC decline, lung transplant and opioids in palliative care.
DO NOT give high dose steroids