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Pulmonary edema (British English: oedema), also known as pulmonary congestion, is excessive fluid accumulation in the tissue or air spaces (usually alveoli) of the lungs. [1] This leads to impaired gas exchange , most often leading to shortness of breath ( dyspnea ) which can progress to hypoxemia and respiratory failure .
The liquid can be pulmonary edema, inflammatory exudate, pus, inhaled water, or blood (from bronchial tree or hemorrhage from a pulmonary artery). Consolidation must be present to diagnose pneumonia: the signs of lobar pneumonia are characteristic and clinically referred to as consolidation. [3]
The condition is commonly associated with vascular and cardiac changes associated with aging but can be caused by many other conditions, including congestive heart failure, kidney failure, liver cirrhosis, portal hypertension, trauma, alcoholism, altitude sickness, pregnancy, hypertension, sickle cell anemia, a compromised lymphatic system or merely long periods of time sitting or standing ...
Edema may be described as pitting edema, or non-pitting edema. [32] Pitting edema is when, after pressure is applied to a small area, the indentation persists after the release of the pressure. Peripheral pitting edema, as shown in the illustration, is the more common type, resulting from water retention.
In people with underlying congestive heart failure, this redistribution may overload the pulmonary circulation, causing increased pulmonary congestion. In congestive heart failure, left ventricular dysfunction will also increase pulmonary congestion, so further congestion caused by the redistribution of blood volume upon laying down will worsen ...
Severe peripheral pitting edema. Right-sided heart failure is often caused by pulmonary heart disease (cor pulmonale), which is typically caused by issues with pulmonary circulation such as pulmonary hypertension or pulmonic stenosis. Physical examination may reveal pitting peripheral edema, ascites, liver enlargement, and spleen enlargement.
Anasarca is a severe and generalized form of edema, with subcutaneous tissue swelling throughout the body. [1] Unlike typical edema, which almost everyone will experience at some time and can be relatively benign, anasarca is a pathological process reflecting a severe disease state and can involve the cavities of the body in addition to the tissues.
Edema of the lower extremities (peripheral edema), caused by an increase in the venous blood pressure. Tachycardia. This is caused by the decreased preload and subsequent decreased cardiac output, and leads to a compensatory heart rate increase. In pregnant women, signs of fetal hypoxia and distress may be seen in the cardiotocography.