Week 5 Lecture 2 Flashcards
(109 cards)
What defines obstructive lung diseases?
Impaired ability of air to leave the alveoli during expiration, clinically defined by decreased FEV1/FVC ratio
The residual volume (RV) and functional residual capacity (FRC) are increased, while total lung capacity is normal.
What are examples of obstructive lung diseases?
- Bronchial Asthma
- Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
- Chronic Bronchitis
- Emphysema
- Bronchiectasis
What characterizes bronchial asthma?
Episodic airway obstruction, airway hyperresponsiveness, usually accompanied by airway inflammation
Most airway obstruction is reversible, though it may become irreversible in some cases.
What is the heritable predisposition for asthma?
25–80% degree of heritability, influenced by complex polygenic inheritance and environmental interactions
Genes related to asthma are associated with risk for atopy.
What are common triggers of bronchoconstriction?
- Allergens (e.g., animal waste, dust mites)
- Upper airway infections
- Inhalatory irritants
- Anxiety
- Cold air
- Physical activity
- Gastroesophageal reflux
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (e.g., aspirin)
What are the two classifications of asthma?
- Older classification: Extrinsic and intrinsic
- Newer classification: Allergic asthma versus nonallergic asthma
What is the mechanism of allergic asthma?
Type I hypersensitivity reaction
Associated with causes like pollens, dust, and drugs.
What characterizes nonallergic asthma?
IgE levels are normal, not a Type I hypersensitivity reaction
Common triggers include exercise, cold air, drugs, and viral infections.
What are the two stages of asthma?
- Early Stage: Mediators promoting bronchoconstriction (e.g., leukotrienes, histamine)
- Late Stage: Release of enzymes by eosinophils and neutrophils
What are the mechanisms leading to acute and chronic airway obstruction?
- Airway hyperresponsiveness
- Inflammation
- Structural changes (e.g., smooth muscle hypertrophy, airway edema)
- Vascular proliferation
What is the classic triad of clinical symptoms in asthma?
- Wheezing
- Dyspnea
- Night-time cough
What defines Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)?
Preventable and treatable disease characterized by airflow limitation that is not fully reversible
Usually progressive and associated with an abnormal inflammatory response to noxious particles or gases.
What are major risk factors for COPD?
- Susceptibility genes (e.g., alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency)
- Tobacco smoke
- Indoor air pollution
- Occupational dusts
- Outdoor air pollution
What is the pathogenesis of COPD?
- Inflammatory and immune cell recruitment
- Proteinases damage the extracellular matrix
- Structural cell death through oxidant-induced damage
- Disordered repair of elastin
What defines chronic bronchitis?
Productive cough for at least 3 months in 2 consecutive years
Pathogenesis involves cigarette smoking leading to airway irritation and increased mucus production.
What is the definition of bronchiectasis?
Irreversible airway dilation that can be focal or diffuse, categorized as cylindrical, varicose, or cystic
What are the components required for the pathogenesis of bronchiectasis?
- Infection
- Obstruction
What is the ‘vicious cycle hypothesis’ in infectious diffuse bronchiectasis?
Susceptibility to infection leads to microbial colonization and chronic inflammation, resulting in airway wall damage
Conditions like cystic fibrosis can impair mucociliary clearance.
What is the morphology of bronchiectasis?
- Gross: Dilation of airways, especially in lower lobes
- Microscopic: Inflammatory infiltrate and tissue destruction
What are common symptoms of bronchiectasis?
- Dyspnea
- Chronic cough (dry or with purulent sputum)
- Hemoptysis
- Clubbing of fingers
What is the spirometry finding for obstructive ventilatory impairment?
FEV1/FVC ratio < 0.7
FEV1 is reduced while FVC is normal or only slightly decreased.
What are the complications of COPD?
- Pulmonary hypertension
- Cor pulmonale
- Mismatched ventilation-perfusion
- Respiratory failure
What is the typical presentation of bronchiectasis?
Dilation of airways, usually involving lower lobes, right side more often than left, with airways almost extending to the pleural surface.
Microscopic appearance depends upon stage, inflammatory infiltrate, and tissue destruction.
What are common symptoms of bronchiectasis?
- Dyspnea
- Chronic cough (dry or with large amounts of purulent sputum production)
- Hemoptysis
Signs include clubbing of the fingers, hypoxemia, and hypercapnia.