Chest Pain in Children: It's Not All Heart • None

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Chest Pain in Children: It's Not All Heart • None 6/18/2019 Disclosures Chest Pain in Children: It's Not All Heart • none • Cathy S. Woodward, DNP, RN, PNP-AC • Professor of Pediatrics • UT Health -San Antonio Objectives Chest Pain •List the most common causes of benign chest pain in children. •Discuss the differential for children presenting with acute chest pain. •Describe the must-not-miss assessments in children with serious chest pain. Chest Pain Incidence of CP complaints •3700 kids evaluated for CP only 1% related to cardiac cause. •Musculoskeletal •Pulmonary •Gastrointestinal •Anxiety •Unknown cause 1 6/18/2019 Musculoskeletal CP •Brief sharp chest pain •Worse with deep breathing and movement •History of trauma, fall, new exercise, cough Musculoskeletal Causes of CP Slipping Rib Syndrome •31% of children who see cardiologists •Described in 1919 •Connective, bony and muscular tissue •Hypermobility of ant ends of ribs 8-10 •Precordial catch – short duration, unclear •Precipitating cause – cough, exercise, etiology trauma •Costochondritis •Pain acute and is reproducible •Trauma •Hooking maneuver • Slipping rib syndrome Pulmonary Causes of CP Pneumothorax •Chest Pain with •Asthma SOB •Pneumonia/Pleuritis •Trauma or •Chronic cough spontaneous •Pneumothorax •No breath •Acute Chest Syndrome sounds on affected side 2 6/18/2019 Acute Chest Syndrome Gastrointestinal Causes of CP •Major cause of morbidity and mortality for •Esophageal reflux – burning pain, center of children with Sickle Cell Disease – vaso chest, pain increased or decreased by certain occlusive crisis foods and body position •Pulmonary infiltrates, CP and fever, hypoxia •Cholecystitis - rare •Caused by embolism, bacterial or viral infections, asthma, lung infarct. Psychological Causes of CP Non-Cardiac Chest Pain •Preceding Stressful event •Push on chest - if pain is reproducible then not cardiac •Hyperventilation •Pain increases with breathing or •Depression movement •Brief CP •Normal Vital signs Serious Chest Pain Cardiac Causes of CP •Severe, unrelenting pain •Fast heart rate •Congenital heart disease •Diaphoresis •Acquired heart disease •Fever •Dysrhythmias •SOB •Tumors •Recent illness •Cardiomyopathy 3 6/18/2019 Congenital Heart Disease Obstructive Lesions • •Left ventricular outflow obstruction – Decreased pulses in Aortic stenosis – CP with dizziness or Left arm and lower fatigue legs. • •Obstructive Lesions – Coarctation of Cool extremities Aorta •Hypertension •Cyanotic Heart Disease – worsening •Often dx during hypoxia or dysrhythmias pre-sport physicals •ALCAPA Anomolous Left Coronary Aorta to Pulmonary Acquired Heart Disease •Disease of the heart that develops after birth. •Affects heart muscle, heart valves or coronary arteries •Rheumatic Heart Disease – developing countries •Kawasaki Disease – developed countries •Myocarditis/Endocarditis •Cardiomyopathy Acquired Heart Disease Prevention • Rheumatic heart fever/disease •Untreated strep throat is the cause! • Rare in US •Most sore throats are caused by • Immigrant population viruses NOT Strep. • Post strept pneumococcal pharyngitis •Younger than 15 years • Autoimmune response to infection •Fever • Untreated infection •Tonsillar swelling or exudate • Untreated fever leads to disease • • Valvular disease Tender anterior cervical nodes •No cough 4 6/18/2019 Diagnosis of Rheumatic Fever Myocarditis/Endocarditis • Jones Criteria – Major Criteria • Carditis •Serious, insidious viral or bacterial infections • Arthritis of the heart muscle and/or valves of heart • Presence of TWO MAJOR Subcutaneous Nodules or ONE MAJOR and TWO •Presenting Symptoms • Chorea MINOR is enough to • Rash – erythma marginatum clinically diagnose •Flu like – fatigue, malaise, fever rheumatic activity • Minor Criteria •Chest pain, palpitations • Fever •Endocarditis - Splinter hemorrhages, • Leukocytosis – increase WBC Janeway nodules and Osler’s nodules • Elevated ESR or CRP • Recent Streptcoccal infection Kawasaki Disease Myocarditis • Leading cause of acquired heart disease in developed countries • Acute febrile illness • Vasculitis • Fever • Rash – erythema palms/soles, edema hands • Bilateral conjunctival redness – no exudate • Cracked lips, strawberry tongue • Cervical lymphadenopathy Kawasaki Disease Cardiac Tumor 5 6/18/2019 Cardiomyopathy Dysrhythmias •Dilated - muscle fibers weak and •Irritable focus – children with hx of heart unable to contract disease •Hypertrophic – thickened and stiff •Fever ventricles can’t fill or contract •Stimulants •Restrictive – normal contraction, ineffective relaxation •Caffeine •Cocaine Dysrhythmias Case Study • Rapid Tachycardias •8 yr old with hx of CHD •Walking in hall at school and had sudden onset of CP and SOB •Sternal Scar 8 yr old with CP Assessment of Child with CP 6 6/18/2019 History History •Is pain new •Fatigue •How often does it occur •SOB •Where is pain •Pain worse with breathing? •Quality – sharp, dull, squeezing •Worse in different position? •Exercise make it worse? •Radiation of pain •Anyone else in family with chest pain? •What makes it better or worse •Recent stresses in your life •Associated symptoms •Medications? •Fainting? Dizziness? Cardiac Questions Physical Assessment Have you ever passed out or nearly passed out during or after exercise? • Chest wall – PMI and abnormalities Have you ever had discomfort, pain, or pressure in your Apical impulse chest during exercise? < 7 yrs 4ICS just left of midclavicular line Does your heart race or skip beats during exercise? > 7 yrs 5ICS midclavicular line PMI laterally or downward – vent hypertrophy Does anyone in your family have heart problems or Marfan’s? PMI – RV dominance LLSB or xiphoid – Has a doctor ever ordered a test for your heart (e.g., Heaves – impulse diffuse and slow rising - vol overload electrocardiography, echocardiography)? Tap – localized and sharp – pressure overload Has anyone in your family died for no apparent reason? Precordial bulge – chronic cardiac enlargement Has anyone in your family died of heart problems or of unexplained sudden death before age 50? Physical Assessment - Murmurs Physical Assessment • Pulses and BP • Rate •If murmur becomes Softer with • Presence of pulse in all extremities Squatting • Weak or non-existent pulses in legs with strong arm pulses suggest COA – take blood •OR Louder or Longer with standing or pressures • Bounding pulses – run off lesions during valsalva • Pulsus paradoxus – greater than 10 mmHg •Think hypertrophic cardiomyopathy or difference during inspiration – pericardial effusion, cardiac tampanode, severe resp mitral valve prolapse distress. • FEVER 7 6/18/2019 Case Study 15 yr old with CP •15 year old, male, c/o chest pain “10” •Denies SOB, N/V •Hx of SVT •Cough and nasal congestion last three days •No fever •Meds: Digoxin, mucinex for allergies Treatment with Adenosine Case Study •15 year old female •C/o fatigue and chest pain x 3 days •Hx – viral type respiratory illness two weeks ago •HR 115 BP 90/50 RR 14 T 98.8 Case Study •16 year old •Fever for three days and CP starting this am 8 6/18/2019 What to do while waiting for Ambulance Chest Pain in Children •If ill appearing, abnormal vital signs or change in LOC – apply oxygen •Most often not emergent or serious •Keep NPO •Consider more serious if CP associated with •AED in the room •Fever •If hx of SVT – vagal maneuvers •SOB •Fast heart rate •Diaphoresis •Recent Illness Questions? Chest Pain in Children: It's Not All Heart [email protected] 9.
Recommended publications
  • Heart Disease in Children.Pdf
    Heart Disease in Children Richard U. Garcia, MD*, Stacie B. Peddy, MD KEYWORDS Congenital heart disease Children Primary care Cyanosis Chest pain Heart murmur Infective endocarditis KEY POINTS Fetal and neonatal diagnosis of congenital heart disease (CHD) has improved the out- comes for children born with critical CHD. Treatment and management of CHD has improved significantly over the past 2 decades, allowing more children with CHD to grow into adulthood. Appropriate diagnosis and treatment of group A pharyngitis and Kawasaki disease in pe- diatric patients mitigate late complications. Chest pain, syncope, and irregular heart rhythm are common presentations in primary care. Although typically benign, red flag symptoms/signs should prompt a referral to car- diology for further evaluation. INTRODUCTION The modern incidence of congenital heart disease (CHD) has been reported at 6 to 11.1 per 1000 live births.1,2 The true incidence is likely higher because many miscar- riages are due to heart conditions incompatible with life. The unique physiology of CHD, the constantly developing nature of children, the differing presenting signs and symptoms, the multiple palliative or corrective surgeries, and the constant devel- opment of new strategies directed toward improving care in this population make pe- diatric cardiology an exciting field in modern medicine. THE FETAL CIRCULATION AND TRANSITION TO NEONATAL LIFE Cardiovascular morphogenesis is a complex process that transforms an initial single- tube heart to a 4-chamber heart with 2 separate outflow tracts. Multiple and Disclosure Statement: All Authors take responsibility for all aspects of the reliability and freedom from bias of the information presented and their discussed interpretation.
    [Show full text]
  • Acute Chest Syndrome in Sickle Cell Disease Care Guideline
    Acute Chest Syndrome in Sickle Cell Disease Care Guideline Inclusion Criteria: · Children with sickle cell disease Recommendations/ · New pulmonary infiltrate on CXR, involving at least one Considerations complete lung segment, excluding atelectasis Predictors: · Pain crisis involving chest, shoulders Assessment and back · Admit to 5S or PICU · Post anesthesia complication · NPO · Respiratory Infections · History and physical with focus on pulmonary exam · On narcotics · Vitals, accurate height and weight · Asthma exacerbation · Strict I/O; Daily Weight · O2 saturation · Baseline Hgb level may run low < · Diagnostics: 9gm/dl CBC with retic, CMP with LDH, STAT type and screen, Hgb electrophoresis · If suspected pulmonary embolism, · Consider VBG for significant respiratory distress obtain CT angiogram of chest · CXR 2 view · Blood culture if fever >38, elevated WBC · May need more than 1 exchange · VRP if URI symptoms transfusion if clinical findings not improving Interventions · After recovery from acute crisis, pt · Stat Hematology consult (if not admitted to Hematology service) should be started on hydroxyurea if · Pulmonary consult not already taking; optimize dose · Notify apheresis team as soon as possible during working hours if anticipated procedure · History of more than 1 acute chest · Consult PICU for possible apheresis catheter placement crisis, consider chronic transfusion · Oxygen to keep O2 sat >=94% protocols to keep HgbS < 25% · Maintenance IV fluids · Antibiotics: ceftriaxone and azithromycin · If recurrent crises, consider
    [Show full text]
  • Chest Pain in Children and Adolescents Surendranath R
    Article cardiology Chest Pain in Children and Adolescents Surendranath R. Veeram Objectives After completing this article, readers should be able to: Reddy, MD,* Harinder R. Singh, MD* 1. Enumerate the most common causes of chest pain in pediatric patients. 2. Differentiate cardiac chest pain from that of noncardiac cause. 3. Describe the detailed evaluation of a pediatric patient who has chest pain. Author Disclosure 4. Screen and identify patients who require a referral to a pediatric cardiologist or other Drs Veeram Reddy specialist. and Singh have 5. Explain the management of the common causes of pediatric chest pain. disclosed no financial relationships relevant Case Studies to this article. This Case 1 commentary does not During an annual physical examination, a 12-year-old girl complains of intermittent chest contain a discussion pain for the past 5 days that localizes to the left upper sternal border. The pain is sharp and of an unapproved/ stabbing, is 5/10 in intensity, increases with deep breathing, and lasts for less than 1 minute. investigative use of a The patient has no history of fever, cough, exercise intolerance, palpitations, dizziness, or commercial product/ syncope. On physical examination, the young girl is in no pain or distress and has normal vital signs for her age. Examination of her chest reveals no signs of inflammation over the sternum device. or rib cage. Palpation elicits mild-to-moderate tenderness over the left second and third costochondral junctions. The patient reports that the pain during the physical examination is similar to the chest pain she has experienced for the past 5 days.
    [Show full text]
  • Acute Chest Syndrome
    CLINICAL PATHWAY PEDIATRIC ACUTE CHEST SYNDROME (ACS) Patients with sickle cell disease presenting with 1) a new pulmonary infiltrate on chest radiography AND 2) evidence of lower airway disease (e.g. cough, shortness of breath, retractions, rales, etc.) TABLE OF CONTENTS Algorithm- N/A Target Population Background | Definitions Initial Evaluation-N/A Clinical Management Diagnostic Tests Fluids | Nutrition Respiratory Therapy Table 1. Pediatric Asthma Score Treatment Table 2. Antimicrobial Medication Table 3. Pain Medication Table 4. Respiratory Medication Discharge Criteria Related Children’s Hospital Colorado Documents References Clinical Improvement Team TARGET POPULATION Inclusion Criteria • Patients with sickle cell disease (SS, SC, Sβ0 thalassemia, Sβ+ thalassemia) • Patients of all ages • Patients treated year round Exclusion Criteria • Patients without infiltrate on chest radiograph (e.g. asthma exacerbation) • Patients with severe pulmonary hypertension • Patients post bone marrow transplant • Well children with pneumonia Page 1 of 10 CLINICAL PATHWAY BACKGROUND | DEFINITIONS Acute chest syndrome (ACS) is the second most common reason for hospitalization in children with sickle cell disease and a leading cause of mortality. ACS is defined as a new pulmonary infiltrate on chest radiograph in the presence of evidence of lower respiratory tract disease (e.g. some combination of cough, shortness of breath, retractions, rales, etc.). In the majority of cases of ACS, an etiology is unable to be identified. The most common identified etiology of ACS is infection but it may also result from pulmonary vaso-occlusion, pulmonary infarction or fat embolism. The primary infectious agents implicated in ACS include: Chlamydia pneumoniae, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and viruses. Risk factors for ACS include vaso-occlusive pain crisis, anesthesia, and surgery.
    [Show full text]
  • Chest Pain in Pediatrics
    PEDIATRIC CARDIOLOGY 0031-3955/99 $8.00 + .OO CHEST PAIN IN PEDIATRICS Keith C. Kocis, MD, MS Chest pain is an alarming complaint in children, leading an often frightened and concerned family to a pediatrician or emergency room and commonly to a subsequent referral to a pediatric cardiologist. Because of the well-known associ- ation of chest pain with significant cardiovascular disease and sudden death in adult patients, medical personnel commonly share heightened concerns over pediatric patients presenting with chest pain. Although the differential diagnosis of chest pain is exhaustive, chest pain in children is least likely to be cardiac in origin. Organ systems responsible for causing chest pain in children include*: Idiopathic (12%-85%) Musculoskeletal (15%-31%) Pulmonary (12%-21%) Other (4%-21%) Psychiatric (5%-17%) Gastrointestinal (4'/0-7%) Cardiac (4%4%) Furthermore, chest pain in the pediatric population is rareZy associated with life-threatening disease; however, when present, prompt recognition, diagnostic evaluation, and intervention are necessary to prevent an adverse outcome. This article presents a comprehensive list of differential diagnostic possibilities of chest pain in pediatric patients, discusses the common causes in further detail, and outlines a rational diagnostic evaluation and treatment plan. Chest pain, a common complaint of pediatric patients, is often idiopathic in etiology and commonly chronic in nature. In one study,67 chest pain accounted for 6 in 1000 visits to an urban pediatric emergency room. In addition, chest pain is the second most common reason for referral to pediatric cardiologist^.^, 23, 78 Chest pain is found equally in male and female patients, with an average *References 13, 17, 23, 27, 32, 35, 44, 48, 49, 63-67, 74, and 78.
    [Show full text]
  • Changes Seen on Computed Tomography of the Chest In
    Alves UD et al.Original / CT of the Article chest in sickle cell disease Changes seen on computed tomography of the chest in mildly symptomatic adult patients with sickle cell disease* Alterações na tomografia computadorizada do tórax em pacientes adultos oligossintomáticos com doença falciforme Ursula David Alves1, Agnaldo José Lopes2, Maria Christina Paixão Maioli3, Andrea Ribeiro Soares3, Pedro Lopes de Melo4, Roberto Mogami5 Alves UD, Lopes AJ, Maioli MCP, Soares AR, Melo PL, Mogami R. Changes seen on computed tomography of the chest in mildly symptomatic adult patients with sickle cell disease. Radiol Bras. 2016 Jul/Ago;49(4):214–219. Abstract Objective: To describe and quantify the main changes seen on computed tomography of the chest in mildly symptomatic adult patients with sickle cell disease, as well as to evaluate the radiologist accuracy in determining the type of hemoglobinopathy. Materials and Methods: A prospective study involving 44 adult patients with sickle cell disease who underwent inspiration and expiration computed tomography of the chest. The frequency of tomography findings and the extent of involvement are reported. We also calculated radiologist accuracy in determining the type of hemoglobinopathy by analyzing the pulmonary alterations and morphology of the spleen. Results: The changes found on computed tomography scans, in descending order of frequency, were as follows: fibrotic opacities (81.8%); mosaic attenuation (56.8%); architectural distortion (31.8%); cardiomegaly (25.0%); lobar volume reduction (18.2%); and increased caliber of peripheral pulmonary arteries (9.1%). For most of the findings, the involvement was considered mild, five or fewer lung segments being affected. The accuracy in determining the type of hemoglobinopathy (HbSS group versus not HbSS group) was 72.7%.
    [Show full text]
  • Predictors of Impending Acute Chest Syndrome in Patients with Sickle Cell
    www.nature.com/scientificreports OPEN Predictors of impending acute chest syndrome in patients with sickle cell anaemia Salam Alkindi1,2*, Ikhlas Al-Busaidi1, Bushra Al-Salami1, Samir Raniga3, Anil Pathare 1 & Samir K. Ballas4 Acute chest syndrome (ACS) is a major complication of sickle cell anaemia (SCA) and a leading cause for hospital admissions and death. We aimed to study the spectrum of clinical and laboratory features of ACS and to assess the predisposing factors and predictors of severity. A retrospective case-control cohort was studied by retrieving patient information from electronic medical records after ethical approval. One hundred adolescents and adults with SCA and hospital admissions for ACS were identifed through the discharge summaries, along with 20 additional patients presenting with VOC, but without ACS (controls). Among the patients with ACS, fever (>38.5 °C), reduced oxygen saturation (<95) and asplenia signifcantly difered when compared to those of controls (p < 0.05, chi-squared test). The degree of severity was refected in the use of non-invasive ventilation (NIV), simple and exchange transfusions, and the presence of bilateral pleural efusions and multi-lobar atelectasis/consolidation, which were signifcantly higher in the cases with ACS than in the controls. Lower haemoglobin (Hb) and high WBC counts were also signifcantly diferent between the two groups (p < 0.05, Student’s t test). Using logistic regression, our study further demonstrated that asplenia, fever, and reduced O2 saturation, along with low Hb and leukocytosis, were important predictors for the development of ACS. Sickle cell anaemia (SCA) is an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by a point mutation in codon 6 of the beta globin chain, where glutamic acid is replaced by valine, resulting in the formation of HbS with varied clinical 1 manifestations .
    [Show full text]
  • Sickle Cell Pathway V2.1: Suspected Acute Chest Syndrome Table of Contents
    Sickle Cell Pathway v2.1: Suspected Acute Chest Syndrome Table of Contents Inclusion Criteria · New, non-atelactatic, pulmonary infiltrate in patient with a Stop and sickle cell hemoglobinopathy Review Exclusion Criteria · O2 need related to opiate use with no infiltrate on CXR Sickle Cell Care Suspected Acute Chest Syndrome Appendix Summary of Version Changes Approval & Citation Evidence Ratings For questions concerning this pathway, contact: Last Updated: October 2020 [email protected] Next Expected Review: October 2025 If you are a patient with questions contact your medical provider, Medical Disclaimer © 2020 Seattle Children’s Hospital, all rights reserved Sickle Cell Pathway v2.1: Suspected Acute Chest Syndrome Inclusion Criteria · New, non-atelactatic, pulmonary infiltrate in patient with a Stop and sickle cell hemoglobinopathy Review Exclusion Criteria · O2 need related to opiate use with no infiltrate on CXR Evaluations for Acute Chest · Physical Exam · CXR · O2 sats · Consider viral studies · Blood & Urine Cx · CBC, diff, retic and type and cross Admit if not already admitted Standard Conservative Therapy · Aggressive pain management · Incentive spirometry q 1 hrs while awake, 10 breaths every hour from 0800 to 2200 and with vital signs while awake from 2200 to 0800, as well as with every "as needed" IV bolus of pain medication, and prior to chest x-rays · Oxygen to maintain O2 saturation >93% · Ceftriaxone q 24 hours IV (Ciprofloxacin and Clindamycin if allergic to Ceftriaxone) ! · Azithromycin or other
    [Show full text]
  • Identifying and Treating Chest Pain
    Identifying and Treating Chest Pain The Congenital Heart Collaborative Cardiac Chest Pain University Hospitals Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital Chest pain due to a cardiac condition is rare in children and and Nationwide Children’s Hospital have formed an innovative adolescents, with a prevalence of less than 5 percent. The affiliation for the care of patients with congenital heart disease cardiac causes of chest pain include inflammation, coronary from fetal life to adulthood. The Congenital Heart Collaborative insufficiency, tachyarrhythmias, left ventricular outflow tract provides families with access to one of the most extensive and obstruction and connective tissue abnormalities. experienced heart teams – highly skilled in the delivery of quality clinical services, novel therapies and a seamless continuum of care. Noncardiac Chest Pain Noncardiac chest pain is, by far, the most common cause of chest pain in children and adolescents, accounting for 95 percent of Pediatric Chest Pain concerns. Patients are often unnecessarily referred to a pediatric In pediatrics, chest pain has a variety of symptomatic levels and cardiologist for symptoms. This causes increased anxiety and causes. It can range from a sharp stab to a dull ache; a crushing distress within the family. Noncardiac causes of chest pain are or burning sensation; or even pain that travels up to the neck, musculoskeletal, pulmonary, gastrointestinal and miscellaneous. jaw and back. Chest pain can be cause for alarm in both patients The most common cause of chest pain in children and and parents, and it warrants careful examination and treatment. adolescents is musculoskeletal or chest-wall pain. Pediatric chest pain can be broadly classified as cardiac chest pain Reassurance, rest and analgesia are the primary treatments or noncardiac chest pain.
    [Show full text]
  • Kounis Syndrome: a Forgotten Cause of References Chest Pain/ Cardiac Chest Pain in Children 1
    382 Editöre Mektuplar Letters to the Editor Kounis syndrome: A forgotten cause of References chest pain/ Cardiac chest pain in children 1. Çağdaş DN, Paç FA. Cardiac chest pain in children. Anadolu Kardiyol Derg 2009;9:401-6. Kounis sendromu: Göğüs ağrısının unutulan bir sebebi/ 2. Coleman WL. Recurrent chest pain in children. Pediatr Clin North Am Çocuklarda kardiyak göğüs ağrısı 1984;31:1007-26. 3. Kounis NG. Kounis syndrome (allergic angina and allergic myocardial infarction): a natural paradigm? Int J Cardiol 2006; 7:7-14. Dear Editor, 4. Biteker M, Duran NE, Biteker F, Civan HA, Gündüz S, Gökdeniz T, et al. Kounis syndrome: first series in Turkish patients. Anadolu Kardiyol Derg I read with interest the article “Cardiac chest pain in children” by 2009;9:59-60. Çağdaş et al. (1) which has retrospectively evaluated 120 children 5. Biteker M. A new classification of Kounis syndrome. Int J Cardiol 2010 Jun admitted to a pediatric cardiology clinic with chest pain. Although chest 7. [Epub ahead of print]. pain in children is rarely reported to be associated with cardiac 6. Biteker M, Duran NE, Ertürk E, Aykan AC, Civan HA, et al. Kounis Syndrome diseases in the literature (2) authors have found that 52 of the patients secondary to amoxicillin/clavulanic acid use in a child. Int J Cardiol 2009;136:e3-5. (42.5%) had cardiac diseases and 28 (23.3%) of these patients’ cardiac 7. Biteker M, Ekşi Duran N, Sungur Biteker F, Ayyıldız Civan H, Kaya H, diseases were thought to directly cause their chest pain.
    [Show full text]
  • Chapter 17 Dyspnea Sabina Braithwaite and Debra Perina
    Chapter 17 Dyspnea Sabina Braithwaite and Debra Perina ■ PERSPECTIVE Pathophysiology Dyspnea is the term applied to the sensation of breathlessness The actual mechanisms responsible for dyspnea are unknown. and the patient’s reaction to that sensation. It is an uncomfort- Normal breathing is controlled both centrally by the respira- able awareness of breathing difficulties that in the extreme tory control center in the medulla oblongata, as well as periph- manifests as “air hunger.” Dyspnea is often ill defined by erally by chemoreceptors located near the carotid bodies, and patients, who may describe the feeling as shortness of breath, mechanoreceptors in the diaphragm and skeletal muscles.3 chest tightness, or difficulty breathing. Dyspnea results Any imbalance between these sites is perceived as dyspnea. from a variety of conditions, ranging from nonurgent to life- This imbalance generally results from ventilatory demand threatening. Neither the clinical severity nor the patient’s per- being greater than capacity.4 ception correlates well with the seriousness of underlying The perception and sensation of dyspnea are believed to pathology and may be affected by emotions, behavioral and occur by one or more of the following mechanisms: increased cultural influences, and external stimuli.1,2 work of breathing, such as the increased lung resistance or The following terms may be used in the assessment of the decreased compliance that occurs with asthma or chronic dyspneic patient: obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), or increased respira- tory drive, such as results from severe hypoxemia, acidosis, or Tachypnea: A respiratory rate greater than normal. Normal rates centrally acting stimuli (toxins, central nervous system events).
    [Show full text]
  • Medicare Approved Six Minute Walk Diagnosis Codes
    MEDICARE APPROVED DIAGNOSIS CODES FOR SIX MINUTE WALK TESTING ICD-10 Codes that Support Medical Necessity Group 1 Codes: ICD-10 CODE DESCRIPTION B44.81 Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis C33 Malignant neoplasm of trachea C34.00 Malignant neoplasm of unspecified main bronchus C34.01 Malignant neoplasm of right main bronchus C34.02 Malignant neoplasm of left main bronchus C34.10 Malignant neoplasm of upper lobe, unspecified bronchus or lung C34.11 Malignant neoplasm of upper lobe, right bronchus or lung C34.12 Malignant neoplasm of upper lobe, left bronchus or lung C34.2 Malignant neoplasm of middle lobe, bronchus or lung C34.30 Malignant neoplasm of lower lobe, unspecified bronchus or lung C34.31 Malignant neoplasm of lower lobe, right bronchus or lung C34.32 Malignant neoplasm of lower lobe, left bronchus or lung C34.80 Malignant neoplasm of overlapping sites of unspecified bronchus and lung C34.81 Malignant neoplasm of overlapping sites of right bronchus and lung C34.82 Malignant neoplasm of overlapping sites of left bronchus and lung C34.90 Malignant neoplasm of unspecified part of unspecified bronchus or lung C34.91 Malignant neoplasm of unspecified part of right bronchus or lung C34.92 Malignant neoplasm of unspecified part of left bronchus or lung C78.00 Secondary malignant neoplasm of unspecified lung C78.01 Secondary malignant neoplasm of right lung C78.02 Secondary malignant neoplasm of left lung C78.30 Secondary malignant neoplasm of unspecified respiratory organ C78.39 Secondary malignant neoplasm of other respiratory organs
    [Show full text]