What about crackles of congestive heart failure (CHF)?
They are very similar to those of pulmonary fibrosis: profuse, fine, high pitched, and late inspiratory. Both predominate in gravity (and posture) dependent regions. In fact, they are quite difficult to separate on
auscultation, even though a differentiation can usually be made on clinical grounds (or by using computerized sound analysis).
Still, the examiner should be aware of their similarity, especially when considering diuresis. As a rule of thumb, bibasilar fine crackles should suggest heart failure only in patients with no other indication of pulmonary disease.
They are very similar to those of pulmonary fibrosis: profuse, fine, high pitched, and late inspiratory. Both predominate in gravity (and posture) dependent regions. In fact, they are quite difficult to separate on
auscultation, even though a differentiation can usually be made on clinical grounds (or by using computerized sound analysis).
Still, the examiner should be aware of their similarity, especially when considering diuresis. As a rule of thumb, bibasilar fine crackles should suggest heart failure only in patients with no other indication of pulmonary disease.