Learn About Pulmonary Edema

What is the definition of Pulmonary Edema?

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

What are the alternative names for Pulmonary Edema?

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

What are the causes of Pulmonary Edema?

Pulmonary edema is often caused by congestive heart failure. When the heart is not able to pump efficiently, blood can back up into the blood vessels 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 burns from poisonous gas inhalation or severe infection
  • Major injury
What are the symptoms of Pulmonary Edema?

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 1 to 2 hours after falling asleep and struggle 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)
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What are the current treatments for Pulmonary Edema?

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 (only needed in severe cases).

The cause of pulmonary 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
  • Other medicines when heart failure is not the cause of the pulmonary edema
Who are the top Pulmonary Edema Local Doctors?

Southern California Heart Specialists

301 W. Huntington Dr. #500, 
Arcadia, CA 
 9.4 mi
Offers Telehealth

Babak Tashakkor is a Cardiologist in Arcadia, California. Dr. Tashakkor and is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Pulmonary Edema. His top areas of expertise are Arrhythmias, Sick Sinus Syndrome, Atrial Fibrillation, Familial Progressive Cardiac Conduction Defect, and Pacemaker Implantation.

Internal Medicine
Internal Medicine
Hacienda Hieghts, CA 
 1.9 mi
Offers Telehealth

Ray Hsiao is an Internal Medicine provider in Hacienda Hieghts, California. Dr. Hsiao and is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Pulmonary Edema. His top areas of expertise are Familial Combined Hyperlipidemia, Xanthoma, Cirrhosis, Colonoscopy, and Gastrostomy.

 
 
 
 
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Cardiology | Interventional Cardiology
Cardiology | Interventional Cardiology

Daniel C Choo MD Cardiovascular Medical Corporation

17134 Colima Rd, Suite E, 
Hacienda Heights, CA 
 2.2 mi
Offers Telehealth

Daniel Choo is a Cardiologist and an Interventional Cardiologist in Hacienda Heights, California. Dr. Choo and is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Pulmonary Edema. His top areas of expertise are Angina, Stable Angina, Sitosterolemia, and Metabolic Syndrome.

What is the outlook (prognosis) for Pulmonary Edema?

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 should I contact a medical professional for Pulmonary Edema?

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

How do I prevent Pulmonary Edema?

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.

What are the latest Pulmonary Edema Clinical Trials?
Vasodilation or Loop-diuretics for Initial Treatment of Pulmonary Edema or Congestion Due to Acute Heart Failure - a Randomized Placebo-controlled Trial

Background: Intravenous (IV) loop-diuretics have been a key component in treating pulmonary edema since the nineteen sixties and has a Class 1 recommendation in the 2021 European Society of Cardiology guidelines for heart failure. Conversely, vasodilation was downgraded in the treatment of acute heart failure due to a lack of trials that compare vasodilation with loop-diuretics in a hyperacute clinical settin...

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Influence of Ultrasound Examination of the Lungs on the Prognosis and Postoperative Outcomes in Cardiac Surgical Patients

Summary: The goal of this interventional is to assess advantages of the ultrasound examination of the lungs in the early postoperative period in cardiac surgical patients after heart surgeries requiring cardiopulmonary bypass. Evaluation of pulmonary complications and outcomes during mid-term follow-up, as well as comparison of ultrasound examination and traditional roentgenologic methods (X-ray examinatio...

Who are the sources who wrote this article ?

Published Date: February 27, 2024
Published By: Thomas S. Metkus, MD, Assistant Professor of Medicine and Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

What are the references for this article ?

Mann DL. Management of heart failure patients with reduced ejection fraction. In: Libby P, Bonow RO, Mann DL, Tomaselli GF, Bhatt DL, Solomon SD, eds. Braunwald's Heart Disease: A Textbook of Cardiovascular Medicine. 12th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 50.

Meyer NJ, Matthay MA. Pulmonary edema. In: Broaddus VC, Ernst JD, King TE, et al, eds. Murray and Nadel's Textbook of Respiratory Medicine. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 133.

Rogers JG, O'Connor CM. Heart failure: epidemiology, pathobiology, and diagnosis. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 45.