a.k.a. Dyspnea, difficulty breathing

Subjective feeling of breathlessness

Etiology DDx

Cardiovascular

• !AD - Aortic Dissection → SOB+,

  • e.g. SOB + neurological symptoms
  • e.g. SOB + HTN

• HF - Heart Failure, !ADHF - Acute Decompensated HF

  MMRC

  • Orthopnea, PND, !Syncope, Palpitation, Pitting edema
  • If exertional: under what circumstances (Onset & Aggregating): rest or exercise?
    • How much effort?
    • How many blocks/flights of stairs?

• CAD, !MI

  • Same as HF
  • • Perspiration/Diaphoresis , Abdominal Pain , N/V - Nausea/vomitting, Angina CP - Chest Pain

Pulmonary

• !TPTX → Hx of Trauma/ATLS
• Infectious → Cough, Fever
  • Mycobacterium tuberculosis
  • URTI, Pneumonia → !Sepsis
• Pulmonary Conditions
  • Wheezing (expirational)
  • Crackles (inspiration) , Clubbing - Shamroth’s window → ILD - Interstitial Lung Disease

Blood

• !PE - Pulmonary embolism (emergency)
  • !Pleuritic Chest Pain
• Anemia (↓Hb)

Other Emergency Causes