What is pulmonary edema? Cardiology Basics

What is pulmonary edema? Cardiology Basics Pulmonary edema is collection of fluid within the lung alveoli. The most important cause of pulmonary edema is heart failure, specifically, left ventricular failure. Pulmonary edema can also occur when there is fluid overload in the body as in renal failure. Other causes of pulmonary edema are mitral stenosis, pulmonary venous obstruction and increased permeability of the pulmonary capillaries. Increased permeability of the pulmonary capillaries occurs in noncardiogenic pulmonary edema – e.g. adult respiratory distress syndrome or ARDS. Sudden breathlessness is the most important symptom of pulmonary edema as the lungs become heavier and alveolar gas exchange poor. Cough with pink frothy sputum is another association of pulmonary edema. There is rapid fall in the oxygen saturation in pulmonary edema and it is a serious life threatening condition. In cardiogenic pulmonary edema, fluid transudation into the alveoli occur due to elevated pulmonary capillary pressure. Immediate hospitalisation and treatment are lifesaving. Oxygen is routinely given as the blood oxygen levels are low. Rapidly acting diuretics like loop diuretics relieve the pulmonary congestion. Pulmonary venodilator action of frusemide occurs even before the diuretic effect, relieving the pressure in the pulmonary capillaries. When pulmonary capillary pressure is reduced below the level of plasma oncotic pressure, there is no more transudation of fluid into the alveoli...
Source: Cardiophile MD - Category: Cardiology Authors: Tags: General Cardiology Source Type: blogs