Pulmonary edema: Difference between revisions
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{{Infobox medical condition | |||
| name = Pulmonary edema | |||
| field = [[Pulmonology]] | |||
| synonyms = Pulmonary congestion, lung congestion, lung water, lung edema | |||
| symptoms = [[Shortness of breath]], [[cough]], [[chest pain]], [[fatigue]] | |||
| complications = [[Respiratory failure]], [[cardiac arrest]] | |||
| onset = Sudden or gradual | |||
| duration = Variable | |||
| causes = [[Heart failure]], [[kidney failure]], [[acute respiratory distress syndrome]], [[high altitude]] | |||
| risks = [[Hypertension]], [[coronary artery disease]], [[valvular heart disease]], [[obesity]] | |||
| diagnosis = [[Chest X-ray]], [[ultrasound]], [[blood tests]] | |||
| differential = [[Pneumonia]], [[chronic obstructive pulmonary disease]], [[asthma]] | |||
| treatment = [[Oxygen therapy]], [[diuretics]], [[vasodilators]], [[mechanical ventilation]] | |||
| medication = [[Furosemide]], [[nitroglycerin]], [[morphine]] | |||
| prognosis = Variable, depends on underlying cause | |||
| frequency = Common | |||
}} | |||
[[File:Respiratory_system_-_Pulmonary_edema_--_Smart-Servier.png|left|thumb|Respiratory system - Pulmonary edema|left|thumb]] | |||
[[File:Comparison_PE.png|left|thumb|Comparison of pulmonary edema|left|thumb]] | |||
[[File:18-01-Lungenoedem_CT_coronar.png|left|thumb|CT scan showing pulmonary edema|left|thumb]] | |||
Pulmonary edema is a condition characterized by the accumulation of fluid in the lung's tissue and air spaces, particularly the [[alveoli]]. This fluid accumulation can lead to impaired gas exchange and may cause respiratory failure. It is most often a consequence of [[heart failure]], but other conditions can also lead to this condition<ref>{{Cite journal |last1= |first1= |title= Pulmonary Edema |journal= |volume= |issue= |pages= |year= |doi= |pmid= }}</ref>. | Pulmonary edema is a condition characterized by the accumulation of fluid in the lung's tissue and air spaces, particularly the [[alveoli]]. This fluid accumulation can lead to impaired gas exchange and may cause respiratory failure. It is most often a consequence of [[heart failure]], but other conditions can also lead to this condition<ref>{{Cite journal |last1= |first1= |title= Pulmonary Edema |journal= |volume= |issue= |pages= |year= |doi= |pmid= }}</ref>. | ||
== Causes == | == Causes == | ||
=== Cardiogenic Pulmonary Edema === | === Cardiogenic Pulmonary Edema === | ||
The most common cause of pulmonary edema is left-sided heart failure, also known as cardiogenic pulmonary edema. This occurs when the [[left ventricle]] of the heart isn't able to pump out enough of the blood it receives from the lungs. As a result, pressure increases in the left atrium and then in the veins and capillaries in the lungs, causing fluid to be pushed through the capillary walls into the air sacs. | The most common cause of pulmonary edema is left-sided heart failure, also known as cardiogenic pulmonary edema. This occurs when the [[left ventricle]] of the heart isn't able to pump out enough of the blood it receives from the lungs. As a result, pressure increases in the left atrium and then in the veins and capillaries in the lungs, causing fluid to be pushed through the capillary walls into the air sacs. | ||
=== Non-cardiogenic Pulmonary Edema === | === Non-cardiogenic Pulmonary Edema === | ||
Non-cardiogenic pulmonary edema occurs without heart disease and is caused by the direct injury to lung tissue. Some causes include: | Non-cardiogenic pulmonary edema occurs without heart disease and is caused by the direct injury to lung tissue. Some causes include: | ||
* [[Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome]] (ARDS) | * [[Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome]] (ARDS) | ||
* Exposure to certain toxins and medications | * Exposure to certain toxins and medications | ||
| Line 18: | Line 33: | ||
* Near drowning | * Near drowning | ||
== Symptoms == | == Symptoms == | ||
Symptoms of pulmonary edema may appear suddenly or gradually and can vary in severity. They include: | Symptoms of pulmonary edema may appear suddenly or gradually and can vary in severity. They include: | ||
* Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath, which may be more severe when lying down | * Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath, which may be more severe when lying down | ||
* A feeling of suffocating or drowning | * A feeling of suffocating or drowning | ||
| Line 29: | Line 42: | ||
* Pale skin or a bluish color to the lips and skin caused by lack of oxygen | * Pale skin or a bluish color to the lips and skin caused by lack of oxygen | ||
== Diagnosis == | == Diagnosis == | ||
The diagnosis of pulmonary edema is based on the patient's clinical presentation and is supported by findings from diagnostic tests such as: | The diagnosis of pulmonary edema is based on the patient's clinical presentation and is supported by findings from diagnostic tests such as: | ||
* [[Chest X-ray]]: This can identify the presence of fluid in the lungs. | * [[Chest X-ray]]: This can identify the presence of fluid in the lungs. | ||
* [[Electrocardiogram]] (ECG): It is used to detect heart rhythm problems and damage to the heart muscle. | * [[Electrocardiogram]] (ECG): It is used to detect heart rhythm problems and damage to the heart muscle. | ||
| Line 38: | Line 49: | ||
* Blood tests: These can help evaluate kidney function and measure levels of certain substances, such as B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), that rise when heart failure worsens. | * Blood tests: These can help evaluate kidney function and measure levels of certain substances, such as B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), that rise when heart failure worsens. | ||
== Treatment == | == Treatment == | ||
The treatment of pulmonary edema depends on the cause but generally focuses on improving respiratory function and treating the underlying cause. Approaches may include: | The treatment of pulmonary edema depends on the cause but generally focuses on improving respiratory function and treating the underlying cause. Approaches may include: | ||
* Oxygen therapy: This is often the first-line treatment for pulmonary edema. It may be delivered using a nose mask, face mask, or a tube inserted into the trachea. | * Oxygen therapy: This is often the first-line treatment for pulmonary edema. It may be delivered using a nose mask, face mask, or a tube inserted into the trachea. | ||
* Medications: These may include diuretics to remove excess fluid from the body, vasodilators to widen blood vessels and decrease the workload on the heart, and inotropic agents to improve heart function. | * Medications: These may include diuretics to remove excess fluid from the body, vasodilators to widen blood vessels and decrease the workload on the heart, and inotropic agents to improve heart function. | ||
| Line 46: | Line 55: | ||
* Treating the underlying cause: This may involve medications or procedures to treat heart failure or other underlying conditions. | * Treating the underlying cause: This may involve medications or procedures to treat heart failure or other underlying conditions. | ||
== Prognosis == | == Prognosis == | ||
The prognosis of pulmonary edema depends largely on the underlying cause and the patient's overall health. In cases where the condition is caused by heart failure, appropriate management of the heart condition can often lead to a good prognosis. However, acute, severe pulmonary edema can be life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention<ref>{{Cite journal |last1= |first1= |title= Prognosis in Pulmonary Edema |journal= |volume= |issue= |pages= |year= |doi= |pmid= }}</ref>. | The prognosis of pulmonary edema depends largely on the underlying cause and the patient's overall health. In cases where the condition is caused by heart failure, appropriate management of the heart condition can often lead to a good prognosis. However, acute, severe pulmonary edema can be life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention<ref>{{Cite journal |last1= |first1= |title= Prognosis in Pulmonary Edema |journal= |volume= |issue= |pages= |year= |doi= |pmid= }}</ref>. | ||
== Prevention == | == Prevention == | ||
Prevention of pulmonary edema largely revolves around the management of its risk factors and underlying causes. This can involve: | Prevention of pulmonary edema largely revolves around the management of its risk factors and underlying causes. This can involve: | ||
* Adequate control of blood pressure | * Adequate control of blood pressure | ||
* Regular check-ups for people with heart or kidney diseases | * Regular check-ups for people with heart or kidney diseases | ||
| Line 58: | Line 63: | ||
* Avoiding exposure to certain toxins, allergens, and medications known to damage lung tissue | * Avoiding exposure to certain toxins, allergens, and medications known to damage lung tissue | ||
== See also == | == See also == | ||
* [[Heart failure]] | * [[Heart failure]] | ||
* [[Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome]] | * [[Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome]] | ||
* [[Kidney failure]] | * [[Kidney failure]] | ||
[[Category:Pulmonary edema]] | [[Category:Pulmonary edema]] | ||
[[Category:Respiratory diseases]] | [[Category:Respiratory diseases]] | ||
[[Category:Cardiovascular diseases]] | [[Category:Cardiovascular diseases]] | ||
[[Category:Emergency medical conditions]] | [[Category:Emergency medical conditions]] | ||
{{stub}} | {{stub}} | ||
Latest revision as of 00:10, 27 April 2025
Editor-In-Chief: Prab R Tumpati, MD
Obesity, Sleep & Internal medicine
Founder, WikiMD Wellnesspedia &
W8MD medical weight loss NYC and sleep center NYC
| Pulmonary edema | |
|---|---|
| Synonyms | Pulmonary congestion, lung congestion, lung water, lung edema |
| Pronounce | N/A |
| Specialty | N/A |
| Symptoms | Shortness of breath, cough, chest pain, fatigue |
| Complications | Respiratory failure, cardiac arrest |
| Onset | Sudden or gradual |
| Duration | Variable |
| Types | N/A |
| Causes | Heart failure, kidney failure, acute respiratory distress syndrome, high altitude |
| Risks | Hypertension, coronary artery disease, valvular heart disease, obesity |
| Diagnosis | Chest X-ray, ultrasound, blood tests |
| Differential diagnosis | Pneumonia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma |
| Prevention | N/A |
| Treatment | Oxygen therapy, diuretics, vasodilators, mechanical ventilation |
| Medication | Furosemide, nitroglycerin, morphine |
| Prognosis | Variable, depends on underlying cause |
| Frequency | Common |
| Deaths | N/A |
Pulmonary edema is a condition characterized by the accumulation of fluid in the lung's tissue and air spaces, particularly the alveoli. This fluid accumulation can lead to impaired gas exchange and may cause respiratory failure. It is most often a consequence of heart failure, but other conditions can also lead to this condition<ref>,
Pulmonary Edema, ,</ref>.
Causes[edit]
Cardiogenic Pulmonary Edema[edit]
The most common cause of pulmonary edema is left-sided heart failure, also known as cardiogenic pulmonary edema. This occurs when the left ventricle of the heart isn't able to pump out enough of the blood it receives from the lungs. As a result, pressure increases in the left atrium and then in the veins and capillaries in the lungs, causing fluid to be pushed through the capillary walls into the air sacs.
Non-cardiogenic Pulmonary Edema[edit]
Non-cardiogenic pulmonary edema occurs without heart disease and is caused by the direct injury to lung tissue. Some causes include:
- Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS)
- Exposure to certain toxins and medications
- Lung damage caused by severe infections
- Severe trauma
- Exercise at high altitudes
- Near drowning
Symptoms[edit]
Symptoms of pulmonary edema may appear suddenly or gradually and can vary in severity. They include:
- Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath, which may be more severe when lying down
- A feeling of suffocating or drowning
- Wheezing or gasping for breath
- Anxiety and restlessness
- Cough, often producing frothy pink sputum
- Chest pain, if the edema is caused by heart disease
- Pale skin or a bluish color to the lips and skin caused by lack of oxygen
Diagnosis[edit]
The diagnosis of pulmonary edema is based on the patient's clinical presentation and is supported by findings from diagnostic tests such as:
- Chest X-ray: This can identify the presence of fluid in the lungs.
- Electrocardiogram (ECG): It is used to detect heart rhythm problems and damage to the heart muscle.
- Echocardiogram: This test uses sound waves to produce images of the heart, which can help identify heart conditions that can lead to pulmonary edema.
- Pulmonary artery catheterization: This invasive procedure measures pressure in the heart and lung arteries.
- Blood tests: These can help evaluate kidney function and measure levels of certain substances, such as B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), that rise when heart failure worsens.
Treatment[edit]
The treatment of pulmonary edema depends on the cause but generally focuses on improving respiratory function and treating the underlying cause. Approaches may include:
- Oxygen therapy: This is often the first-line treatment for pulmonary edema. It may be delivered using a nose mask, face mask, or a tube inserted into the trachea.
- Medications: These may include diuretics to remove excess fluid from the body, vasodilators to widen blood vessels and decrease the workload on the heart, and inotropic agents to improve heart function.
- Non-invasive positive pressure ventilation (NIPPV) or mechanical ventilation: These may be needed in severe cases or if initial treatment isn't effective.
- Treating the underlying cause: This may involve medications or procedures to treat heart failure or other underlying conditions.
Prognosis[edit]
The prognosis of pulmonary edema depends largely on the underlying cause and the patient's overall health. In cases where the condition is caused by heart failure, appropriate management of the heart condition can often lead to a good prognosis. However, acute, severe pulmonary edema can be life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention<ref>,
Prognosis in Pulmonary Edema, ,</ref>.
Prevention[edit]
Prevention of pulmonary edema largely revolves around the management of its risk factors and underlying causes. This can involve:
- Adequate control of blood pressure
- Regular check-ups for people with heart or kidney diseases
- Prompt treatment of infections
- Avoiding exposure to certain toxins, allergens, and medications known to damage lung tissue
