Definition:
Pulmonary edema is an abnormal build up of fluid in the air sacs of the lungs, which leads to shortness of breath
Alternative Names:
Lung congestion; Lung water; Pulmonary congestion
Causes, incidence, and risk factors:
Pulmonary edema is usually caused by heart failure. As the heart fails, pressure in the veins going through the lungs starts to rise. As the heart fails, pressure in the veins going through the lungs starts to rise. As the pressure in these blood vessels increases, fluid is pushed into the air spaces (alveoli) in the lungs. This fluid interrupts normal oxygen movement through the lungs, resulting in shortness of breath. Pulmonary edema may be caused by damage directly to the lung, such as that caused by poisonous gas or severe infection, as a side effect of medications, or the result of major trauma. Lung damage with a buildup of body fluid is also seen in kidney failure. Exercising at very high altitudes can also cause pulmonary edema Pulmonary edema may also be a complication of a heart attack, leaking or narrowed heart valves (mitral or aortic valves), or any disease of the heart that results in weakening or stiffening of the heart muscle (cardiomyopathy).
References:
Hess OM, Carroll JD. Clinical assessment of heart failure. In: Libby P, Bonow RO, Mann DL, Zipes DP, eds. Braunwald's Heart Disease: A Textbook of Cardiovascular Medicine. 8th ed. Philadelphia, Pa; Saunders Elsevier; 2007: chap 23. American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association. ACC/AHA Task Force on Practice Guidelines. Update to the 2001 Guidelines for the Evaluation and Management of Heart Failure. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2005;46(6):e1-82. Irwin RS, Rippe JM. Management of advanced heart failure. In: Irwin RS, Rippe JM, eds. Irwin and Rippe's Intensive Care Medicine. 6th ed. Baltimore, Md; Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2008:chap 33.
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