Pulmonary Diseases of Vascular Origin Quiz

Pulmonary Diseases of Vascular Origin

• Common lung vascular issues include pulmonary edema, acute lung injury, acute respiratory distress syndrome, pulmonary embolism, pulmonary hypertension, and diffuse alveolar hemorrhage.

Pulmonary Edema

• Caused by hemodynamic disturbances or increased capillary permeability due to microvascular injury.

Causes of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS)

• ARDS involves infections, physical injuries, inhaled/chemical irritants.
• Diffuse endothelial damage increases vascular permeability, leading to protein-rich fluid leakage into the alveoli.

Pulmonary Embolism

• Most often caused by deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in the lower leg.
• D-dimer is a blood test used to screen for DVT.

Risk Factors for Pulmonary Embolism

• Prolonged bed rest, leg surgery, and congestive heart failure (CHF) may increase risk.

Thrombosis

• Virchow's triad includes endothelial injury, stagnant/turbulent blood flow, and hypercoagulability, leading to thrombus formation.

Diagnostic Tests and Complications for Pulmonary Embolism

• Chest CT angiography is a crucial imaging test.
• Complications can include decreased cardiac output, right heart failure, and chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension.

Clinical Presentation: Pulmonary Embolism

• Symptoms include shortness of breath (dyspnea), pleuritic chest pain, cough, calf pain, wheezing, and hemoptysis.
• Diagnostic tests include chest CT angiography, lower limb Doppler ultrasound, and echocardiography.

Types of Thrombi

• Arterial thrombi form at sites of endothelial injury.
• Venous thrombi, also called phlebothrombosis.