Causes of Chronic Dyspnea - Differential Diagnosis Algorithm

Pericardial

 • Effusion

 • Cardiac Tamponade*

 • Constriction

Myocardial

 • Systolic Dysfunction

 • Diastolic Dysfunction

 • Restrictive Cardiomyopathy

Valvular

 • Stenosis

 • Regurgitation

 • Sub-Valvular Disease

Coronary Artery Disease

 • Stable Angina

 • Acute Coronary Syndrome* 

Arrhythmia

 • Atrial Fibrillation

 • Bradyarrhythmia

 • Tachyarrhythmia

Airway Obstruction

 • Asthma

 • COPD

 • Bronchiectasis

Pleural Abnormalities

 • Pleural Effusions

 • Pleural Thickening/Masses

Chest Wall Abnormalities

 • Neuromuscular Weakness

 • Kyphoscoliosis

 • Abdominal Distention

Pulmonary Alveoli

 • Pneumonia

 • ARDS

 • COPD

 • Neoplasm

Pulmonary Interstitium

 • ILD

 • CHF

 • Sarcoidosis

Pulmonary Vessels

 • Pulmonary Embolism*

 • Pulmonary Hypertension

Pulmonary - Other

 • Anemia

 • Anxiety

 • Deconditioning

 • Hyperthyroidism

 • Metabolic Acidosis



#Chronic #Dyspnea #SOB #Differential #Diagnosis #Algorithm #Causes