Fact-sheet: Acute pulmonary edema
Updated on 10/08/2016 at 7:48 AM
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Definition
Diffusion of plasma-derived fluid into the extravascular spaces of the lung.
Two types of pulmonary edema:
- Edema due to increased pulmonary capillary pressure (cardiogenic pulmonary edema).
- Edema due to alveolar-capillary membrane injury (lesional edema).
A particular form: re-expansion pulmonary edema: Non-cardiogenic pulmonary edema following overly rapid re-expansion of the pulmonary parenchyma shortly after pleural drainage (absence of clamping)
Clinical features
Acute, often severe dyspnea.
Life-threatening prognosis.
Re-expansion pulmonary edema: Acute respiratory distress shortly after pleural drainage
Radiography
Confluent, fluffy opacities with a perihilar distribution. Interstitial pulmonary edema, particularly in cases of sudden-onset pulmonary edema.
Pleural effusions often associated.
Cardiac silhouette of variable size depending on the underlying cardiac disease.
Re-expansion pulmonary edema: Alveolar opacities, most often unilateral on the drained side, sometimes bilateral. White lung
CT
Re-expansion pulmonary edema: Multiple alveolar opacities associated with areas of ground-glass opacity. Complete resolution of the pleural effusion