Sudden severe chest pain: an atypical presentation of an infective exacerbation of COPD
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Published Version
Date
2021
Authors
Gutman, Arlene
Tellios, Nikoleta
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
UCC Medical Research and Technology Society
Published Version
Abstract
Presentation: A 59-year-old female, recent ex smoker, with a history of COPD and anxiety, presents to her GP with acute onset sharp chest pain, associated with dyspnea, diaphoresis and palpitations. On examination tachycardia, tachypnea and rhonchi were noted in the absence of fever and crepitations. Differential Diagnosis: Her presentation raises suspicion for several conditions that require urgent treatment, including AMI, PE and pneumothorax. Few indicators of infection were present initially. Investigations: Given the risk of life-threatening conditions included in the differential diagnosis, hospital work-up was warranted. Investigations for AMI, PE, and pneumothorax were negative. Further investigations and development of the clinical course led to the conclusion of a diagnosis of IECOPD. Conclusion: Presentations of IECOPD can be diagnostically difficult. Although painis not usual in IECOPD and pyrexia is common, this case illustrates the absence of such features in the presence of additional atypical features. Furthermore, acute chest pain often requires hospital investigation even if the ultimate diagnosis may be managed by the GP.
Description
Keywords
COPD , Infectious exacerbation , Chest pain
Citation
Gutman, A. and Tellios, N. (2021) 'Sudden severe chest pain: an atypical presentation of an infective exacerbation of COPD', UCC Student Medical Journal, Vol. 2, pp. 83-87. https://doi.org/10.33178/SMJ.2021.1.9