Clinical Findings in Chronic Aortic Regurgitation(AR)

Clinical Findings in Chronic Aortic Regurgitation  (AR) for medical students, cardiologists, physicians and internists 2023

Clinical Findings in Chronic Aortic Regurgitation

Introduction

Causes of aortic regurgitation

Diagnosis of aortic regurgitation

Management of aortic regurgitation

Importance of timely diagnosis

Signs of aortic regurgitation

1. Light House Sign – Blanching & Flushing of forehead 
2. Landolfi’s sign, alternating constriction & dilatation of pupils
3. Becker’s Sign – visible pulsation of retinal arterioles 
4. De Musset Sign – Bobbing of head 
5. Muller’s Sign – To & fro movement of Uvula
6. Gerhardt /Sailer Sign– Pulsation of Spleen in Splenomegaly 
7. Rosenbach’s Sign– Hepatic Pulsation
8. Shelley’s Sign– Pulsation of Cervix
9. Corrigan’s Sign– Forceful dilatation and quick collapse of Arterial pulse
10. Water-hammer Pulse
11. Quincke’s Sign-Nail bed Capillary Pulsation
12. Wide Pulse Pressure
13. Hill’s Sign– exaggerated difference in systolic arterial pressure between upper & lower limbs
14. Traube’s Sign– Pistol Shot sounds over femoral artery
15. Duroziez’s Sign– Pressure over femoral artery to & fro murmur
16. Hill’s Sign– Popliteal artery systolic pressure exceeds Brachial artery pressure by > 60 mmHg
17. Maybe’s Sign– Decrease in DBP of 15 mmHg when arm is held above head.
18. Early diastolic, decrescendo murmur usually heard best Erb’s point
19. The Austin Flint murmur is a rumbling diastolic murmur best heard at the apex. 
20. S3 gallop
21. Systolic outflow tract murmur
22. Wide pulse pressure 
23. High volume bounding pulse 
24. PMI shifts inferiorly & laterally
25. It is important to palpate supra-eternal notch to rule out AAA
26. Lincoln Sign– Tremor of foot when one leg is crossed above other

Continue reading Clinical Findings in Chronic Aortic Regurgitation (AR) for medical students, cardiologists, physicians and internists 2023

Answers, explanations, and 15 extra high-yield points related to the orthopedics and trauma multiple-choice questions

1. Which fracture is commonly known as a “dinner fork” deformity due to the characteristic angulation seen on X-rays?

Interim guidance on clinical management of Mpox (Monkeypox) 2079 (2022)

Mpox interim guideline NEpal

Monkeypox is a viral zoonotic disease caused by the monkeypox virus, which belongs to the Orthopoxvirus genus, the same group as smallpox. It is primarily found in Central and West Africa but has been increasingly reported in other regions, highlighting its potential to spread beyond endemic areas. The virus is transmitted to humans through close contact with an infected animal, human, or contaminated materials. 

Symptoms

Vaccination

Introduction of dyspenea: what is dyspena or shortness of breath

• What is dyspnea?
•  Shortness of breath causes and ddx?

Table of contents(toc)

Introduction of dyspnoea

Dyspena is a condition in which a person feels difficulty breathing.

Dyspnoea can be classified as acute or chronic. 

Pulse oxymeter

The source of causes dyspnea, shortness of breath can be listed as:

Differential diagnoses of dyspnoea/shortness of breath:

2. Causes of Chronic SOB

1. Cardiovascular

2. Respiratory

3. Neuromuscular and chest wall disorers

4. Anxiety, psychosomatic

5. Hematological and metabolic

MCQs regarding Pulmonary tuberculosis Health exams preparation 

Introduction

 MCQ on Pulmonary tuberculosis Google forms

Final Note on PTB

 You can view the PPT down below:

Respiratory system and related disorders COPD for medical and paramedical students health loksewa preparation and MCQs

Introduction to respiratory system

Structure of respratory system

• External (Pulmonary) respiration: absorption of O2 and removal of CO2 from the body.

• Internal (tissue) respiration: utilization of O2 and production of CO2 by cells and the gaseous exchanges between the cells and their fluid medium.

• What is the normal respiratory rate in humans: 16-20 times per minute in adults. 

• Children breathes more superficially and therefore have a higher respiratory rate.

Which of the following is the smallest functional unit of the lung?

:arynx anatomy

Larynx

AKA voice box 

Short section of the airway that connects the laryngopharynx and trachea.

Located in the anterior portion of the neck, just inferior to the hyoid bone and superior to trachea.

:arynx internal anatomy

Epiglottis:

 a flap of elastic cartilage that acts as a switch between the trachea and the esophagus.

Inferior to the epiglottis, is the thyroid cartilage, often known as Adam’s apple, visible in adult males.

Trachea 

AKA windpipe

5 inch long tube made up of C-shaped hyaline cartilage rings.

Connects the larynx to the bronchi and allows the air to pass through the neck and into the thorax.

Function: to provide a clear airway for air to enter and exit the lungs.

Lungs 

A pair of large, spongy organs found in the thorax lateral to the heart and superior to the diaphragm.

Each lung is surrounded by a pleural membrane that provides the lung with space to expand.

The left lungs are slightly different that right in size and shape due to the heart pointing in the left side of the body.

2 lobes in the left and 3 lobes in the right.

Processs of air exchange gas echange in alveoli

Which of the following structures is NOT part of the upper respiratory tract?

A. Nasopharynx

B. Larynx

C. Trachea

D. Pharynx

What is the function of the epiglottis?

A. To regulate the flow of air into the lungs

B. To produce mucus to moisten the airway

C. To protect the airway during swallowing

D. To exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide

What is the role of surfactant in the lungs? 

A. To transport oxygen and carbon dioxide

 B. To protect the lungs from infection

 C. To decrease surface tension in the alveoli

 D. To regulate air pressure during inhalation

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

A board classification of disorder including emphysema, chronic bronchitis and asthma. 

Irreversible condition associated with dyspnea on exertion and reduced airflow in or out of the lung.

4th non communicable disease in the world according to recent study. 

Risk factors of COPD

Emphysema:

Abnormal permanent enlargement of the air space distal to the terminal bronchioles is accompanied by destruction of bronchioles.

Chronic Bronchitis:

Presence of productive cough for 3 or more months in each of 2 successive years in a patient whom other causes of chronic cough have been excluded.

Asthma:

Intermittent, reversible, obstructive airway disease in which trachea and bronchi respond in a hyperactive way to certain stimuli.

Which of the following respiratory disorders is characterized by inflammation and narrowing of the airways? 

A. Asthma

 B. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

 C. Pneumonia

 D. Lung cance

Clinical manifestationsof COPD symptoms and signs of COPD

• Age groups >40 years 
• Productive cough 
• Decreased exercise tolerance
• Wheezing 
• Shortness of breathe 
• Prolonged expiration 
• Use of accessory breathing muscles 
• Pursed lip breathing 
• Central Cyanosis 
• Barrel chest 
• Weight loss  
• Polycythemia (Hb>18 gm/dl)
• Flapping tremor 
• On percussion: hyper resonance 
• On auscultation: vesicular breathe sound with prolonged expiration
• Rhonchi 
• Crepitation if associated with chest infection 
• FEV1 <80%

How is Diagnosis of COPD made COPD diagnosis method

What is the treatment of COPD? chronic bronchitis, emphysema

What are the nusing care required for COPD and chest disease patients?

All my links in one place here

Lungs structure and lobes

Which of the following respiratory muscles is responsible for normal breathing during rest?

Pneumothorax and pleural effusion- diagnosis and management with MCQs

left sided pneumothorax

PNEUMOTHORAX

Pneumothorax is the presence of air in the pleural space.

Two types

• Traumatic pneumothorax
• Spontaneous pneumothorax

• Results from penetrating or non-penetrating chest injuries.

• Transthoracic needle aspiration
• Thoracentesis
• The insertion of central intravenous catheters

• Primary Pneumothorax

1. No evidence of overt lung disease.
2. Due to rupture of a small subpleural emphysematous bulla or pleural bleb, or the pulmonary end of a pleural adhesion
3. Occur almost exclusively in smokers
4. one-half of patients will have a recurrence

• Secondary Pneumothorax

1. Underlying lung disease, most commonly COPD and TB;
2. also seen in asthma, lung abscess, pulmonary infarcts, bronchogenic carcinoma, all forms of fibrotic and cystic lung disease

Tension pneumothorax

• Results from a wound in the chest wall which acts as a valve that permits air to enter the pleural cavity but prevents its escape
• Intrapleural pressure rises to well above atmospheric levels. 
• The pressure causes mediastinal displacement towards the opposite side, with compression of the opposite normal lung 
• Impairment of systemic venous return, causing cardiovascular compromise

Closed pneumothorax

• Communication between the airway and the pleural space seals off
• mean pleural pressure remains negative
• reabsorption of air, re-expansion, infection is uncommon

Open pneumothorax

• Communication fails to seal and air continues to pass freely
• Occur following rupture of an emphysematous bulla, tuberculous cavity or lung abscess into the pleural space
• Infection is common

Clinical Features of tension pneumothorax

• sudden-onset unilateral pleuritic chest pain or breathlessness
• larger pneumothorax (> 15% of the hemithorax) results in decreased or absent breath sounds
• combination of absent breath sounds and resonant percussion note is diagnostic of pneumothorax.

• Inspection

• Tachypnoea (pain, deflation reflex)

• Palpation

• ↓Expansion

• Percussion

• Resonant or hyper-resonant

• Auscultation

• Absent breath sounds

Tension pneumothorax also causes

• Deviation of trachea to opposite side
• Tachycardia and hypotension
• Cyanosis 

Investigations for pneumothorax

• Chest X-ray

• Sharply defined edge of the deflated lung with complete translucency
• Extent of any mediastinal displacement and reveal any pleural fluid or underlying pulmonary disease.

• CT scan
•  In doubt, distinguish bullae from pleural air.

Treatment of tension pneumothorax

• Primary pneumothorax with lung edge < 2 cm from the chest wall, not breathless requires no intervention.

Percutaneous needle aspiration of air 

• In young patients with a moderate or large spontaneous primary pneumothorax
• Intercostal tube drainage
• In those over 50 years old and those with respiratory compromise

Surgical pleurodesis 

• Recommended following a second pneumothorax
• should be considered following the first episode of secondary pneumothorax if low respiratory reserve makes recurrence hazardous. 

• Pleurodesis can be achieved by pleural abrasion or parietal pleurectomy at thoracotomy or thoracoscopy.
• Prevents recurrences

Post Chest Tube monitoring: what to look for after keeping a chest tube

• After 24 hours;  if lungs reinflated and no bubblingremove drain
• Continuing bubbling after 5- 7days  is indication of surgery
• High flow O2 supplement- may speed resolution
• If bubbling stops before full inflation of lung then tube is either blocked , kinked or displaced
• Pleural Effusion 

Pleural effusion:

Pleural Fluid

• Excessive accumulation of fluid in the pleural space. 
• Detected clinically, when ≥ 500 mL is present.
• Produced and absorbed at a rate of 15mL per day
• Each pleural space contains 10mL of fluid

Causes of pleural effusion:

Pathophysiology of pleural effusion:

Fluid enters the pleural space:

• from the capillaries in the parietal pleura
• from the peritoneal cavity via small holes in the diaphragm
• Fluid removed via the lymphatics situated in the parietal pleura. 

lymphatics have capacity to absorb 20 times more fluid than is normally formed.

Pleural fluid accumulates when:

pleural fluid formation >pleural fluid absorption. 

Exudative or Transudative

Alteration of hydrostatic and/or oncotic factors Increases the formation or decreases the reabsorption Transudate

Direct or cytokine induced pleural membrane and/or vascular damage Increased capillary permeability Exudate

Types of pleural effusion:

Transudative effusion

1. Congestive Heart failure
2. Cirrhosis 
3. Pulmonary embolization 
4. Neoplastic syndrome
5. Constrictive pericarditis
6. Hypothyroidism

Exudative effusion:

1. Bacterial pneumonia (common)
2. Tuberculosis
3. Carcinoma of the bronchus
4. Pulmonary infarction
5. Autoimmune 
6. -Rheumatic diseases
7. – SLE 

Clinical features of pleural effuion:

• Shortness of breath
• Chest pain, especially on breathing in deeply (pleurisy, or pleuritic pain)
• Fever
• Cough

How Patient Presents in pleural effusion?

History in pleural effusion

• Pain on inspiration and coughing
• Often  asymptomatic
• Pleurisy 

Examination finding in pleural effusion:

1. Chest wall movement : Reduced in affected side 
2. trachea and mediastinum shift away from affected side
3.  With massive effusion (>1000ml)]
4. Percussion note: Stony dull 
5. Breath sounds: Vesicular
6. (Reduced or absent)
7. Vocal resonance: Reduced or absent

On Chest Examination of pleural effusion following findings  can be found:

• Bronchial breathing may be present
• Expansion ↓
• Percussion stony dull
• Air entry ↓
• Vocal resonance ↓
• With massive effusion (>1000ml) trachea and mediastinum shift away from affected side

Diagnostic Approach in pleural effusion

Light’s criteria for Exudative Effusion

• Pleural fluid protein: serum protein >0.5
• Pleural fluid LDH: serum LDH >0.6
• Pleural fluid LDH > 2/3 upper limit of normal for serum
• Investigations 
• Serum
• CBC
• LDH
• protein
• Coagulation studies (PT, PTT, INR )

Pleural fluid analysis for pleural effusion:

• Note color and consistency
• Chemistries: Protein, albumin, LDH, glucose, pH
• Cell count with differential
• Microbiological stains and culture 
• Cytology

Pleural fluid finding in effusion

Lateral decubitus x ray in pleural effusion:

• Demonstrates fluidity
• Suggest for thoracentesis if fluid layer > 1cm. 
• Transudates
• Usually resolve with treatment of underlying cause
• Therapeutic thoracentesis in persistent larger effusion
• Pleurodesis, shunts, or placement of a indwelling pleural catheter for palliation

Treatment of pleural effuusion:

• Simple Parapneumonic Effusion

• Antiobiotics
• Selected base on causing organism
• Generally anaerobic coverage
•   ( clindamycine, imipenem, extended spectrum penicillin )
• Close observation

• Complicated Parapneumonic Effusion
• Antiobiotics

• Early thoracostomy tube drainage
• Surgical decortication if extensive pleural thickening, fibrous organization, and /or multiple loculations.
• Malignant Pleural Effusion
• 2nd most common type of exudative pleural effusion (lung carcinoma, breast carcinoma, & lymphoma)
• Diagnosis: cytology of the pleural fluid
• If cytology is negative, thoracoscopy is done if malignancy is suspected

Management  of pleural effusion

• Symptomatic treatment 
• Tube thoracostomy ( sclerosing agents : doxycycline )
• Plurodesis when there is rapid reaccumulation of fluid
• Insertion of indwelling pleural catheter

Complications of pleural effsuion if untreated

1. empyema
2. constrictive fibrosis
3. Sepsis
4.  lung cancer

Nursing care for pleural effusion and chest tube inserted patient

• Observe for infection, local inflammation
• Check dressing
• Check if tube is blocked
• Mobilization care
• Check for amount and color of drainage
• Pain management
• Ensure breathing and lung reexpansion in case of collapse
• Prevent clamping
• Ensure positioning

References

• Davidson’s Principles and Practice of Medicine 21st edition
• Harrison’s Principle of Internal Medicine, 18th edition

MCQs related to pleral effusion:

What is pleural effusion?

a) Accumulation of air in the pleural space

b) Collection of fluid in the pleural space

c) Infection of the pleural cavity

Answer: b) Collection of fluid in the pleural space

What is pneumothorax?

a) Collection of fluid in the pleural space

b) Accumulation of air in the pleural space

c) Infection of the pleural cavity

Answer: b) Accumulation of air in the pleural space

Which condition is more likely to cause chest pain?

a) Pleural effusion

b) Pneumothorax

c) Both conditions can cause chest pain

Answer: c) Both conditions can cause chest pain

Which condition is more likely to cause shortness of breath?

a) Pleural effusion

b) Pneumothorax

c) Both conditions can cause shortness of breath

Answer: c) Both conditions can cause shortness of breath

Which of the following imaging studies is most commonly used to diagnose pleural effusion?

a) Chest x-ray

b) Computed tomography (CT)

c) Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

Answer: a) Chest x-ray

Which of the following conditions can be diagnosed by thoracentesis?

a) Pleural effusion

b) Pneumothorax

c) Both conditions can be diagnosed by thoracentesis

Answer: a) Pleural effusion

Which of the following imaging studies is most commonly used to diagnose pneumothorax?

a) Chest x-ray

b) Computed tomography (CT)

c) Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

Answer: a) Chest x-ray

Which of the following conditions can be treated with a chest tube?

a) Pleural effusion

b) Pneumothorax

c) Both conditions can be treated with a chest tube

Answer: c) Both conditions can be treated with a chest tube

What is the primary treatment for small, uncomplicated pneumothorax?

a) Observation

b) Chest tube insertion

c) Surgery

Answer: a) Observation

What is the primary treatment for large, complicated pneumothorax?

a) Observation

b) Chest tube insertion

c) Surgery

Answer: b) Chest tube insertion

Which of the following is a potential complication of pleural effusion?

a) Respiratory failure

b) Cardiac arrest

c) Seizures

Answer: a) Respiratory failure

Which of the following is a potential complication of pneumothorax?

a) Respiratory failure

b) Cardiac arrest

c) Seizures

Answer: a) Respiratory failure

Which of the following conditions is more common in individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)?

a) Pleural effusion

b) Pneumothorax

c) Both conditions are equally common in individuals with COPD

Answer: b) Pneumothorax

Which of the following conditions is more common in individuals with heart failure?

a) Pleural effusion

b) Pneumothorax

c) Both conditions are equally common in individuals with heart failure

Answer: a) Pleural effusion

What is the most important factor in determining the severity of pneumothorax?

a) The size of the pneumothorax

b) The cause of the pneumothorax

c) The location of the pneumothorax

Answer: a) The size of the pneumothorax

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