Hong Phuc Tran MD Learning Objectives Understand pathophysiology of dyspnea Learn how to evaluate dyspnea Understand reversible causes potential contributors of shortness of breath Manage shortness of breath in terminally ill patients ID: 743783
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Slide1
Palliative Care:Shortness of Breath and Secretions
Hong-
Phuc
Tran, M.D.Slide2
Learning Objectives
Understand
pathophysiology
of dyspnea
Learn how to evaluate dyspnea
Understand reversible causes / potential contributors of shortness of breath
Manage shortness of breath in terminally ill patientsSlide3
Introduction
Shortness of breath is common in terminally ill patients
“Death rattle” (noisy breathing) occurs in 23-92% of dying patients
Patients lose ability to clear secretions as
mentation
worsens
Appropriate management of excessive secretions is important in providing palliationSlide4
Pathophysiology of Dyspnea
Multifactorial
Increased work of breathing
Chemical effects
Medullary
chemoreceptors
sense
hypercapnea
Carotid and aortic body
chemoreceptors
sense hypoxemia
Neuromechanical
association
Mismatch between what brain desires for respiration and sensory feedback brain receivesSlide5
Evaluation of Dyspnea
Patient’s self-report is most reliable measure
Can have dyspnea with normal O2 saturation
Physical exam findings
Accessory muscle use
Tachypnea
Rhonchi, crackles, decreased breath sounds, stridor
Cyanosis (central or peripheral)Slide6
Examples of Some Reversible Causes / Potential Contributors of Shortness of Breath
Bronchospasm
Pleural effusion
Anemia
Airway obstructionSlide7
Management of Shortness of Breath (1)
First, treat underlying, reversible causes (if any)Slide8
Examples of Management of Some Reversible Causes/Potential Contributors of Shortness of Breath
Bronchospasm
Albuterol
,
ipratropium
, steroids
Pleural effusion
Thoracentesis
,
pleurodesis
, diuretics, catheter drainage
Anemia
Transfusion
Airway obstruction
Steroids, Clean out
tracheostomy
tube (if present)Slide9
Management of Shortness of Breath (2)
After treating reversible causes (if any), then treat symptomatically
Pharmacologic
Opioids
Benzodiazepines
Anticholinergics
Non-pharmacologicSlide10
Opioids (1)
Most effective for alleviating dyspnea
Exact mechanism unclear but thought to alter perception of dyspnea
Common Routes: oral,
parenteral
Unlikely to hasten death or cause addiction if adhere to dosing guidelinesSlide11
Opioids (2)
Opioid naïve patients
Start with Morphine 10 -15mg
po
q1hr
prn
or morphine 5mg SC q 30min
prn
Titrate to patient’s relief using standard opioid dosing guidelines
Opioid non-naïve patients
Increase opioid dose by 25%
Titrate to patient’s relief using standard opioid dosing guidelines
Once chronic dyspnea controlled, provide extended release formulation and short acting formulation
Short acting formulation: 10% of total dose of same opioid in 24 hr period, offered at q1hr
prnSlide12
Benzodiazepines (1)
Can relieve dyspnea associated with anxiety
Potential side effects, especially in elderly patients
Increased risk of confusion, falls
Can use conjunction with opioids without causing respiratory depression when dosing guidelines followedSlide13
Benzodiazepines (2)
Common routes: oral, sublingual, subcutaneous
Example of dosing for dyspnea
Lorazepam 0.5 mg
po
/ SL q 1 hr
prn
, titrate to patient’s relief
Once total dose in 24 hr period determined, then can give 1/3 of total dose q8hrs Slide14
Anticholinergics (1)
Dries excessive secretions
Effective for patients with weak cough reflex
Examples: Atropine,
Hyoscyamine
(
Levsin
), Scopolamine,
Glycopyrrolate
(
Robinul
)
Atropine,
hyosyamine
, scopolamine are equally effective in treatment of death rattle
Effectiveness of medications better at lower initial rattle intensity Slide15
Anticholinergics (2)
Atropine 1%
ophthalmic
drops
1-2 drops SL every 1 hr
prn
Scopolamine
1-3
transdermal
patches q72hrs
0.1-0.4 mg SC / IV q4hrs
1080mcg/hr by continuous IV or SC infusion
Hyoscyamine
0.125 mg PO / SL q8hrs
prn
Glycopyrrolate
0.4-1.0 mg daily by SC infusion
0.2 mg SC / IV q4-6hrs PRN Slide16
Non-pharmacologic Interventions
Educate patients, families/caregivers
Repositioning
Turning patient on side, Elevate head of bed
Suctioning
Gentle, anterior (not deep) suctioning
Increase airflow
Fans, open windows, oxygen nasal
cannula
Stimulates V2 branch of trigeminal nerve, which has central inhibitory effect on dyspnea
Reduce room temperature without making patient too cold
Behavioral techniques
Relaxation, DistractionSlide17
References & Suggested Readings
EPEC (Education for Physicians on End-of-Life Care) :
http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/cancerlibrary/epeco/selfstudy/module-3
Mercandante
S,
Villari
P,
Ferrera
P. Refractory death rattle: deep aspiration facilitates the effects of
antisecretory
agents. J Pain Symptom Manage. 2011 Mar;41(3):637-9.
Pantilat
SZ and Isaac M. End-of-life care for the hospitalized patient. Med
Clin
North Am. 2008; 92(2): 349-70.
Quaseem
A et al. Evidence-based interventions to improve the palliative care of pain, dyspnea, and depression at the end of life: a clinical practice guideline from the American College of Physicians. Ann Intern Med. 2008 Jan 15;148(2):141-6.
Shinjo
T, Okada M. Atropine
eyedrops
for death rattle in a terminal cancer patient. J
Palliat
Med. 2013 Feb;16(2):212-3.
Wee B, Hillier R. Interventions for noisy breathing in patients near to death. Cochrane Database
Syst
Rev. 2008 Jan 23;(1):CD005177
Wildiers
H et al. Atropine,
hyoscine
butylbromide
, or scopolamine are equally effective for the treatment of death rattle in terminal care. J Pain Symptom Manage. 2009 Jul;38(1):124-33