Locations Main Campus: Chesterfield, MO 63017   |   Locations
314-434-1500 314-434-1500   |   Contact Us

Multimedia Encyclopedia


 
E-mail Form
Email Results

 
 
Print-Friendly
Bookmarks
bookmarks-menu

Pulmonary edema

Lung congestion; Lung water; Pulmonary congestion; Heart failure - pulmonary edema

 

Pulmonary edema is an abnormal buildup of fluid in the lungs. This buildup of fluid leads to shortness of breath.

Causes

 

Pulmonary edema is often caused by congestive heart failure . When the heart is not able to pump efficiently, blood can back up into the veins that take blood through the lungs.

As the pressure in these blood vessels increases, fluid is pushed into the air spaces (alveoli) in the lungs. This fluid reduces normal oxygen movement through the lungs. These two factors combine to cause shortness of breath.

Congestive heart failure that leads to pulmonary edema may be caused by:

  • Heart attack, or any disease of the heart that weakens or stiffens the heart muscle ( cardiomyopathy )
  • Leaking or narrowed heart valves (mitral or aortic valves)
  • Sudden, severe high blood pressure (hypertension)

Pulmonary edema may also be caused by:

  • Certain medicines
  • High altitude exposure
  • Kidney failure
  • Narrowed arteries that bring blood to the kidneys
  • Lung damage caused by poisonous gas or severe infection
  • Major injury

 

Symptoms

 

Symptoms of pulmonary edema may include:

  • Coughing up blood or bloody froth
  • Difficulty breathing when lying down (orthopnea)
  • Feeling of "air hunger" or "drowning" (This feeling is called "paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea" if it causes you to wake up and try to catch your breath.)
  • Grunting, gurgling, or wheezing sounds with breathing
  • Problems speaking in full sentences because of shortness of breath

Other symptoms may include:

  • Anxiety or restlessness
  • Decrease in level of alertness
  • Leg or abdominal swelling
  • Pale skin
  • Sweating (excessive)

 

Exams and Tests

 

The health care provider will perform a thorough physical exam.

The provider will listen to your lungs and heart with a stethoscope to check for:

  • Abnormal heart sounds
  • Crackles in your lungs, called rales
  • Increased heart rate (tachycardia)
  • Rapid breathing (tachypnea)

Other things that may be seen during the exam include:

  • Leg or abdominal swelling
  • Abnormalities of your neck veins (which can show that there is too much fluid in your body)
  • Pale or blue skin color (pallor or cyanosis)

Possible tests include:

  • Blood chemistries
  • Blood oxygen levels(oximetry or arterial blood gases)
  • Chest x-ray
  • Complete blood count (CBC)
  • Echocardiogram (ultrasound of the heart) to see if there are problems with the heart muscle
  • Electrocardiogram ( ECG ) to look for signs of a heart attack or problems with the heart rhythm

 

Treatment

 

Pulmonary edema is almost always treated in the emergency room or hospital. You may need to be in an intensive care unit (ICU).

  • Oxygen is given through a face mask or tiny plastic tubes are placed in the nose.
  • A breathing tube may be placed into the windpipe (trachea) so you can be connected to a breathing machine (ventilator) if you cannot breathe well on your own.

The cause of edema should be identified and treated quickly. For example, if a heart attack has caused the condition, it must be treated right away.

Medicines that may be used include:

  • Diuretics that remove excess fluid from the body
  • Medicines that strengthen the heart muscle, control the heartbeat, or relieve pressure on the heart

 

Outlook (Prognosis)

 

The outlook depends on the cause. The condition may get better quickly or slowly. Some people may need to use a breathing machine for a long time. If not treated, this condition can be life threatening.

 

When to Contact a Medical Professional

 

Go to the emergency room or call 911 if you have breathing problems.

 

Prevention

 

Take all your medicines as directed if you have a disease that can lead to pulmonary edema or a weakened heart muscle.

Following a healthy diet that is low in salt and fat, and controlling your other risk factors can reduce the risk of developing this condition.

 

 

References

Januzzi JL, Mann DL. Clinical assessment of heart failure. In: Mann DL, Zipes DP, Libby P, Bonow RO, Braunwald E, eds. Braunwald's Heart Disease: A Textbook of Cardiovascular Medicine . 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2015:chap 23.

Matthay MA, Martin TR, Murray JF. Pulmonary edema. In: Broaddus VC, Mason RJ, Ernst JD, et al, eds. Murray & Nadel's Textbook of Respiratory Medicine . 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2016:chap 62.

O'Connor CM, Rogers JG. Heart failure. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman's Cecil Medicine . 25th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2016:chap 58.

 
  • Congestive heart failure overview

    Animation

  •  

    Congestive heart failure overview - Animation

    Learn about the types of, causes, health risks and treatment of congestive heart failure.

  • Echocardiography overview

    Animation

  •  

    Echocardiography overview - Animation

    How echocardiography ultrasound waves tell about the health of your heart.

  • Lungs - illustration

    The major features of the lungs include the bronchi, the bronchioles and the alveoli. The alveoli are the microscopic blood vessel-lined sacks in which oxygen and carbon dioxide gas are exchanged.

    Lungs

    illustration

  • Respiratory system - illustration

    Air is breathed in through the nasal passageways, travels through the trachea and bronchi to the lungs.

    Respiratory system

    illustration

  • Congestive heart failure overview

    Animation

  •  

    Congestive heart failure overview - Animation

    Learn about the types of, causes, health risks and treatment of congestive heart failure.

  • Echocardiography overview

    Animation

  •  

    Echocardiography overview - Animation

    How echocardiography ultrasound waves tell about the health of your heart.

  • Lungs - illustration

    The major features of the lungs include the bronchi, the bronchioles and the alveoli. The alveoli are the microscopic blood vessel-lined sacks in which oxygen and carbon dioxide gas are exchanged.

    Lungs

    illustration

  • Respiratory system - illustration

    Air is breathed in through the nasal passageways, travels through the trachea and bronchi to the lungs.

    Respiratory system

    illustration

A Closer Look

 

Talking to your MD

 

    Self Care

     

      Tests for Pulmonary edema

       

         

        Review Date: 2/24/2016

        Reviewed By: Michael A. Chen, MD, PhD, Associate Professor of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, Harborview Medical Center, University of Washington Medical School, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Isla Ogilvie, PhD, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

        The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997- A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.

         
         
         

         

         

        A.D.A.M. content is best viewed in IE9 or above, Firefox and Google Chrome browser.



        Content is best viewed in IE9 or above, Firefox and Google Chrome browser.