Pulmonary hypertension physical examination: Difference between revisions

Jump to navigation Jump to search
No edit summary
m (Robot: Changing Category:Disease state to Category:Disease)
Line 86: Line 86:
==References==
==References==
{{Reflist|2}}
{{Reflist|2}}
{{WikiDoc Help Menu}}
{{WikiDoc Sources}}


[[Category:Cardiology]]
[[Category:Cardiology]]
[[Category:Pulmonology]]
[[Category:Pulmonology]]
[[Category:Disease state]]
[[Category:Disease]]
[[Category:Mature chapter]]
[[Category:Mature chapter]]
{{WikiDoc Help Menu}}
{{WikiDoc Sources}}

Revision as of 22:39, 9 December 2011

Physical exam findings in Pulmonary hypertension and right ventricular failure

Pulmonary Hypertension Microchapters

Home

Patient Information

Overview

Historical Perspective

Classification

Pathophysiology

Causes

Differentiating Pulmonary hypertension from other Diseases

Epidemiology & Demographics

Risk Factors

Screening

Natural History, Complications and Prognosis

Diagnosis

Diagnostic Study of Choice

History & Symptoms

Physical Examination

Laboratory Findings

Electrocardiogram

Chest X Ray

CT

MRI

Echocardiography or Ultrasound

Other Diagnostic Studies

Treatment

Medical Therapy

Surgery

Primary Prevention

Secondary Prevention

Cost-Effectiveness of Therapy

Future or Investigational Therapies

Case Studies

Case #1

Pulmonary hypertension physical examination On the Web

Most recent articles

Most cited articles

Review articles

CME Programs

Powerpoint slides

Google Images

American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Pulmonary hypertension physical examination

All Images
X-rays
Echo & Ultrasound
CT Images
MRI

Ongoing Trials at Clinical Trials.gov

US National Guidelines Clearinghouse

NICE Guidance

FDA on Pulmonary hypertension physical examination

CDC on Pulmonary hypertension physical examination

Pulmonary hypertension physical examination in the news

Blogs on Pulmonary hypertension physical examination

Directions to Hospitals Treating Pulmonary hypertension

Risk calculators and risk factors for Pulmonary hypertension physical examination

Editor(s)-in-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Phone:617-632-7753; Assistant Editor(s)-in-Chief: Lisa Prior,Ralph Matar,

Overview

  • Pulmonary hypertension can present with a myriad of physical signs that develop on a spectrum corresponding to the severity of the disease.
  • The condition is often initially associated with a loud P2, (para)sternal heave, and narrowed splitting of the second heart sound on physical examination. S3 or third heart sound, and pulmonary regurgitation may also be heard on auscultation.
  • As pulmonary hypertension worsens, right ventricular failure can develop, which can present with findings such as increased JVP, ascites and peripheral edema, hepatojugular reflux, and clubbing.
  • Physical examination evidence of tricuspid insufficiency is also sought and, if present, is consistent with the presence of long-standing pulmonary hypertension.

A more comprehensive discussion on physical findings is discussed in the sections below categorised by examination site

General appearance

The appearance of the patient may give clues as to the etiology of the condition. For example in COPD, one of the most common causes of pulmonary hypertension, the patient may appear dyspneic with pursed lips breathing and use of accessory muscles. Later on in severe disease, the patient may appear cyanotic with extremities cold to the touch. [1]

Pulse

The pulse may be low volume. This usually occurs in more severe disease. [1]

JVP

Assessment of the JVP in pulmonary hypertension involves assessing the 'a' wave (coincides with atrial contraction), the 'v' wave (coincides with atrial filling) and the height of the JVP column above the sternal angle. Physical findings may include:

  • Prominent 'a' wave: due to forced atrial contraction
  • Prominent 'v' wave: later if tricuspid regurgitation develops with right ventricular failure.
  • Elevated JVP: can be present if right ventricular failure develops
  • Postive Kussmaul's sign: JVP elevation during inspiration (the opposite of what normally happens) because of right ventricular failure [1]
  • Positive Abdominojugular reflux: JVP rises and remains elevated during a period of over 10 seconds whilst abdominal pressure is applied. This may be present if right ventricular failure develops [1]

Precordium

An holistic precordial assessment of pulmonary hypertension involves palpating the precordium for heaves and thrills and ausculatating to assess first and second heart sounds, splitting of the second heart sound and determining if there any added heart sounds or murmurs. Physical findings may include the following:

Palpation

  • Parasternal heave: due to hyperdynamic right ventricle
  • Palpable P2: correlates with severe disease [1]

Ausculation

First and second heart sound (S1,S2) assessment

  • Loud P2 component of S2: this is due to forceful closure of the valve because of increased pulmonary pressure. It can be heard mostly in pulmonary area (upper right sternal border). If it is evident at the cardiac apex, this indicates more severe disease. It is best appreciated on inspiration. [2]

Splitting of S2 assessment

  • Narrowed splitting of S2: in chronic pulmonary hypertension, pulmonary artery compliance decreases leading to earlier pulmonary valve closure and narrowed splitting. [3]
  • Widened splitting of S2: widened splitting may occur later if right ventricular failure or bundle branch block develops. [2]

Extra heart sounds assessment

  • s4: due to right ventricular hypertrophy and therefore reduced compliance secondary to pulmonary hypertension. It is increased with inspiration.
  • s3: if right ventricular failure develops. Increased with inspiration. [1]

Additional sounds assessment

  • Systolic pulmonary ejection click: increased with inspiration

Murmurs assessment

  • Ejection midsystolic pulmonic murmur: increased with inspiration
  • Diastolic pulmonary regurgitation murmur (Graham-Steele murmur): indicates more severe disease
  • Pansystolic tricuspuid regurgitation murmur: indicates developing right ventricular failure [4]

Abdomen

Findings in the abdomen include:

  • Ascites: indicates right ventricular failure
  • Painful hepatomegaly: indicates right ventricular failure
  • Pulsatile liver: due to tricuspid regurgitation [1]

Legs

  • Edema: indicates right ventricular failure [1]

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 Simon O'Connor MBBS FRACP DDU; Nicholas P. Hirsch MBBS FRCA FRCP (2009). Clinical Examination: A Systematic Guide to Physical Diagnosis. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone. ISBN 0-7295-3905-9.
  2. 2.0 2.1 Thompson, Paul Richard; Topol, Eric J.; Califf, Robert M.; Prystowsky, Eric N.; Thomas, James Alan (2007). Textbook of cardiovascular medicine. Hagerstwon, MD: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. ISBN 0-7817-7012-2.
  3. Alexander, R. McNeill; Hurst, J. Willis; Schlant, Robert C. (1994). The Heart, arteries and veins. New York: McGraw-Hill, Health Professions Division. ISBN 0-07-055417-X.
  4. Clark, Michael; Kumar, Parveen J. (2009). Kumar and Clark's clinical medicine. St. Louis, Mo: Elsevier Saunders. ISBN 0-7020-2993-9.

Template:WikiDoc Sources