Recording-2025-03-04

Pneumothorax

• Definition: Air in the pleural space, leading to lung collapse.

  • Causes: Pressure support, trauma (most common), iatrogenic causes.

Pleural Effusion

• Definition: Excess fluid accumulation in the pleural space.

  • Treatment: Drainage via thoracentesis, chest tube, or pleurodesis if persistent.

• Identification:

  • Symptoms include shortness of breath and pain.

  • Appearance on chest X-ray indicates fluid accumulation.

Surfactant and Atelectasis

• Surfactant Role: Keeps alveoli open, preventing collapse.

• Atelectasis:

  • Condition of alveoli collapse due to lack of surfactant.

  • Symptoms often include hypoxemia and respiratory distress.

  • Management involves supportive care and repositioning.

Bronchiolitis

• Definition: Inflammation of small airways, often viral (e.g., RSV).

• Treatment: Supportive measures and bronchodilators.

Mechanical Ventilation in Respiratory Distress

• Positive End Expiratory Pressure (PEEP): Maintains lung pressure during exhalation.

  • Indicates threshold of pressure in ventilation.

• Inhaled Beta Agonists: Used to dilate bronchi and improve airflow.

• Management of High Oxygen Requirements:

  • Gradual increase in oxygen levels, avoid prolonged exposure to high concentrations due to injury risk.

  • ECMO for severe cases as a last resort.

Pulmonary Edema

• Definition: Excessive fluid in lungs, often secondary to left-sided heart failure.

• Symptoms: Dyspnea, coughing, and wheezing.

• Treatment: Diuretics to manage fluid, vasodilators to reduce heart load.

• Mnemonic: "Left lungs, right rest" for left-sided heart failure effects.

Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS)

• Definition: Acute respiratory failure due to diffuse lung injury.

• Common Causes: Infection, trauma, inhalation injuries.

• Symptoms: Rapid onset of dyspnea, hypoxemia.

• Treatment: Support with ventilation, may need paralytics for muscle relaxation.

Asthma

• Pathophysiology: Chronic inflammation leads to airway obstruction.

  • Early Response: Bronchoconstriction due to allergens.

  • Late Response: Involvement of inflammatory cytokines and eosinophils.

• Symptoms: Wheezing, difficulty exhaling, cough.

• Treatment Strategies: Bronchodilators and steroids to reduce inflammation and improve airflow.

Chronic Bronchitis and Pneumonia

• Chronic Bronchitis: Characterized by productive cough and difficulty breathing.

• Hospital-acquired pneumonia (VAP): Common in ventilated patients, often requiring antibiotics.

Tuberculosis (TB)

• Caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, transmitted by droplets.

• Symptoms: Fever, cough, weight loss.

  • X-ray reveals granulomatous lesions and caseous necrosis.

• Treatment: Long-term antibiotic therapy required.

Pulmonary Abscess

• Definition: Localized area of pus in lungs due to infection.

• Symptoms: Fever, cough, foul-smelling sputum.

• Management: Possible bronchoscopy for drainage.