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Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis

Jeremy Feldman, MD

  • What is Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis?
    • Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Definition
    • Symptoms of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
    • Causes of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
    • Who Gets Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
    • Gastro-Esophageal Reflux (GER) and Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
    • Interstitial Lung Disease vs. Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
    • Is Pulmonary Fibrosis Hereditary?
    • Research, Life Expectancy and Prognosis for Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
  • Diagnosing & Monitoring PF
    • Monitoring Progress of IPF
    • Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Diagnosis
    • Chest X-rays Used in IPF
    • CPET used in IPF
    • HRCT Scans Used to Evaluate IPF
    • Lung Biopsy To Diagnose IPF
    • Pulmonary Function Tests (PFTS)
    • Six Minute Walk Test To Monitor IPF
    • Stages of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
    • Complications of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
  • PF Treatment Options
    • Esbriet (pirfenidone) Used to Treat IPF
    • OFEV (nintedanib) Used to Treat IPF
    • Pulmonary Rehab for IPF Patients
    • Lung Transplantation for Pulmonary Fibrosis
    • Oxygen Used to Treat IPF
      • Update on Oxygen Use
    • Clinical Trials in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
    • IPF & Leg Swelling
    • Pulmonary Hypertension and Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
    • IPF Exacerbation
  • PF Advocacy & News
  • FAQ’s
    • Respiratory failure, NSIP, diet
    • Leg swelling, lung biopsy, side effects & pets
    • FAQ’s Enzyme Therapy, Progression of IPF & Oxygen
    • FAQ: Diarrhea, Fibrosis Reversal, IPF Symptoms
    • FAQ: Oxygen Flow, Anesthesia & Genetics
    • FAQ: Contagious Cough? Stem Cells, Familial IPF, Flying
    • FAQ: GERD, Fatigue & Environmental Exposure
    • FAQ: How to Travel to Your Doctor’s Office with Oxygen
    • FAQ: Lung Biopsy with Pulmonary Fibrosis
    • FAQ’s: Alcohol, Clinical Trials, Pulmonary Function Testing
    • FAQs: Emphysema, Exercise & Lung Biopsy

6 Complications of IPF

May 30, 2019 By Dr. Jeremy Feldman

Patients with IPF often have to contend with multiple problems related to their lung disease. Cardinal symptoms are shortness of breath and cough.  These symptoms lead to evaluation that eventually includes a high resolution CT scan of the chest.  In some cases a lung biopsy is required to confirm the diagnosis and in others the diagnosis can be confidently made based on CT findings.   Over time, many patients with IPF will develop additional problems associated with their lung disease.  

Pulmonary Hypertension

In health the lung blood vessels carry blood from the right side of the heart through the lungs back to the left side of the heart at low pressure.  As IPF progresses and increasing amounts of the normal lung tissue is replaced with scar, blood vessels are lost.  Over time this can lead to increasing pressure within the lung blood vessels (pulmonary arteries).  

The development of pulmonary hypertension is important as it carries a worse prognosis.  The diagnosis of pulmonary hypertension is suggested by findings on echocardiography (ultrasound of the heart) and confirmed by measuring the pressures directly with a catheter inside the heart (right heart catheterization).  Recently we have started focusing on trying to use medications that lower the pulmonary artery pressure as a treatment in IPF associated pulmonary hypertension.  

Lung Cancer

Patients with IPF are at significantly greater risk of developing lung cancer even if they never smoked.  The diagnosis is often suggested by finding a nodule on CT scanning of the lungs.  The evaluation and management is made more complicated by IPF.  Surgery to remove the cancer is generally avoided.  More recently specialized radiation therapy is being used to treat patients once a biopsy confirms the diagnosis.  Biopsy of the nodule can be done either with CT guidance or during bronchoscopy.  

Emphysema

Among patients who smoked in the past, up to a third of IPF patients will have some degree of emphysema. When these two problems exist at the same time we call it combined pulmonary fibrosis and emphysema.  This often leads to severe shortness of breath and the need for early oxygen and higher flow rates of oxygen.  Pulmonary hypertension commonly complicates combined pulmonary fibrosis and emphysema.  Inhaled medications may be tried but they often do not lead to any improvement in symptoms.

Blood Clots in the Lungs (Pulmonary Embolism)

IPF patients are at increased risk of developing blood clots in the lungs.  This may result in abrupt increases in shortness of breath.  When IPF patients present with marked increases in symptoms that develop abruptly we worry about blood clots and often will order special CT scans to evaluate for this possibility.   Treatment of blood clots in IPF patients is not different from patients without IPF.  Blood thinners are used.  

Lung Infections

IPF patients are at risk for bacterial and viral infections.  Due to the reduced baseline lung function, infection results in more frequent hospitalization and carries a greater risk of death.  All patients with any lung disease should receive Pneumovax and Prevnar (pneumonia vaccines) and annual influenza vaccination.  Use common sense precautions and avoid contact with people who have respiratory infections.  

Sleep Apnea and Poor Sleep Quality

More than half of patients with IPF have obstructive sleep apnea and most have reduced oxygen levels during sleep.  A sleep study (polysomnography) is the test of choice to diagnose sleep apnea. Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is used to treat sleep apnea.  In my experience all IPF patients will eventually need oxygen during sleep. This can be combined with CPAP. Sleep quality is frequently decreased and this can contribute to low energy.  

Filed Under: IPF Diagnosis

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What is IPF?

  • What is Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis?
    • Symptoms of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
    • Causes of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
    • Who Gets Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
    • Gastro-Esophageal Reflux (GER) and IPF
    • Interstitial Lung Disease vs. Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
    • Is Pulmonary Fibrosis Hereditary?
    • Research, Life Expectancy & Prognosis for Pulmonary Fibrosis

Diagnosing IPF

  • Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Diagnosis
    • Chest X-rays Used in IPF
    • CPET used in IPF
    • HRCT Scans Used to Evaluate IPF
    • Lung Biopsy To Diagnose IPF
    • Pulmonary Function Tests (PFTS)
    • Six Minute Walk Test To Monitor IPF
    • Stages of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
    • Complications of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis

Treating IPF

  • Pulmonary Fibrosis Treatment Options
    • Esbriet (pirfenidone) Used to Treat IPF
    • OFEV (nintedanib) Used to Treat IPF
    • Pulmonary Rehab for IPF Patients
    • Lung Transplantation for Pulmonary Fibrosis
    • Oxygen Used to Treat IPF
    • Clinical Trials in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
    • IPF & Leg Swelling
    • Pulmonary Hypertension and Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
    • IPF Exacerbation

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