cardiogenic pulmonary edema

Examples of cardiogenic pulmonary edema in the following topics:

• Pulmonary Edema

  • Pulmonary edema is fluid accumulation in the air spaces and parenchyma of the lungs.
  • It is due to either failure of the left ventricle of the heart to adequately remove blood from the pulmonary circulation ("cardiogenic pulmonary edema") or an injury to the lung parenchyma or vasculature of the lung ("noncardiogenic pulmonary edema").
  • There is no one single test for confirming that breathlessness is caused by pulmonary edema.
  • In the case of cardiogenic pulmonary edema, urgent echocardiography may strengthen the diagnosis by demonstrating impaired left ventricular function, high central venous pressures, and high pulmonary artery pressures.
  • Interstitial and alveolar pulmonary edema with small pleural effusions on both sides.

• Edema

  • Causes of edema which are generalized to the whole body can cause edema in multiple organs and peripherally.
  • For example, severe heart failure can cause pulmonary edema, pleural effusions, ascites, and peripheral edema.
  • For example, severe heart failure can cause pulmonary edema, pleural effusions, ascites, and peripheral edema.
  • Edema is more common with those of a history of pulmonary problems or poor circulation, and may be affected by the presence of arthritis.
  • Examples of edema in specific organs include cerebral edema, pulmonary edema, periorbital edema (eye puffiness), and cutaneous edema due to mosquito bites, spider bites, bee stings, or contact dermatitis).

• Syncope

  • There are two broad categories of syncope, cardiogenic or reflex, which underlie most forms of syncope.
  • Cardiogenic forms are more likely to produce serious morbidity or mortality and require prompt or even immediate treatment.
  • Although cardiogenic syncope is much more common in older patients, an effort to rule out arrhythmic, obstructive, ischemic, or cardiomyopathic causes of syncope and circulatory inadequacy is mandatory in each patient.
  • There are many other causes of syncope, including low blood sugar levels and lung disease such as emphysema and a pulmonary embolus.

• Dead Space: V/Q Mismatch

  • The pulmonary circulation pressure is very low compared to that of the systemic circulation; it is also independent of cardiac output.
  • A physiological shunt can develop if there is infection or edema in the lung that obstructs an area.
  • A physiological shunt can develop if there is infection or edema in the lung which decreases ventilation, but does not affect perfusion; thus, the ventilation/perfusion ratio is affected.
  • Pulmonary edema with small pleural effusions on both sides (as shown) can cause changes in the V/Q ratio.

• Signs and Symptoms of Shock

  • The symptoms of cardiogenic shock are similar to those of hypovolemic shock.
  • With anaphylaxis, hives may present on the skin, and there may localized edema, especially around the face, and weak and rapid pulse.

• Water Balance Disorders

  • The former can lead to seizures, while the latter can lead to osmotic cerebral edema upon rapid rehydration.
  • Other forms of shock with similar symptoms may be due to problems in the heart (cardiogenic) or bacterial infection (septic).

• Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

  • Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the occurrence of chronic bronchitis or emphysema.
  • Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), also known as chronic obstructive lung disease (COLD), chronic obstructive airway disease (COAD), chronic airflow limitation (CAL) and chronic obstructive respiratory disease (CORD), is the occurrence of chronic bronchitis or emphysema, a pair of commonly co-existing diseases of the lungs in which the airways become narrowed.
  • Advanced COPD can lead to complications beyond the lungs, such as weight loss (cachexia), pulmonary hypertension and right-sided heart failure (cor pulmonale).
  • It can be useful to help exclude other lung diseases, such as pneumonia, pulmonary edema or a pneumothorax.
  • Complete pulmonary function tests with measurements of lung volumes and gas transfer may also show hyperinflation and can discriminate between COPD with emphysema and COPD without emphysema.

• Heart Failure

  • Rales or crackles, heard initially in the lung bases and later throughout the lung fields suggest the development of pulmonary edema (fluid in the alveoli).
  • Cyanosis, which suggests severe hypoxemia, is a late sign of extremely severe pulmonary edema.

• The Work of Breathing

  • In pulmonary diseases, the rate of gas exchange into and out of the lungs is reduced.
  • Examples of restrictive diseases are respiratory distress syndrome and pulmonary fibrosis.
  • Obstructive diseases and conditions include emphysema, asthma, and pulmonary edema.
  • The obstruction may be due to edema, smooth muscle spasms in the walls of the bronchioles, increased mucus secretion, damage to the epithelia of the airways, or a combination of these events.
  • Those with asthma or edema experience increased occlusion from increased inflammation of the airways.

• Functions of the Lymphatic System

  • Fluid removal from tissues prevents the development of edema.
  • Edema is any type of tissue swelling from increased flow of interstitial fluid into tissues relative to fluid drainage.
  • While edema is a normal component of the inflammation process, in some cases it can be very harmful.
  • Cerebral and pulmonary edema are especially problematic, which is why lymph drainage is so important.
  • Abnormal edema can still occur if the drainage components of the lymph vessels are obstructed.