Urgent Investigation in Acute Breathlessness
- Chest X-ray
- Arterial blood gases, pH and lactate if oxygen saturation is <90%, sepsis is suspected or diagnosis is unclear
- ECG (except in patients under 40 with pneumothorax or acute asthma)
- Echocardiogram if suspected cardiac disease
- Full blood count
- Plasma sodium, potassium and creatinine
- Blood glucose
- Plasma biomarkers:
- Fibrinogen degradation products (d-dimer) if there are risk factors for venous thromboembolism (Table 56.1)
- BNP or NT-proBNP if clinical features of cardiac disease or abnormal ECG, and in patients with suspected exacerbation of COPD
- Troponin if clinical features of cardiac disease or abnormal ECG
- C-reactive protein if possible sepsis
|