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Complications

By Mayo Clinic staff

If pulmonary edema continues, it can raise pressure in the pulmonary artery and eventually the right ventricle begins to fail. The right ventricle has a much thinner wall of muscle than does the left side. The increased pressure backs up into the right atrium and then into various parts of your body, where it can cause:

  • Leg swelling (edema)
  • Abdominal swelling (ascites)
  • Buildup of fluid in the membranes that surround your lungs (pleural effusion)
  • Congestion and swelling of the liver

When not treated, acute pulmonary edema can be fatal. In some instances it may be fatal even if you receive treatment.

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References
  1. Pulmonary edema. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merck.com/mmpe/print/sec07/ch074/ch074b.html. Accessed June 4, 2009.
  2. Schwartzstein RM. Dyspnea and Pulmonary Edema. In: Fauci AS, et al. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine. 17th ed. New York, N.Y. Mc-Graw Hill Medical; 2008. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=2863220. Accessed June 4, 2009.
  3. Ware LB, et al. Acute pulmonary edema. New England Journal of Medicine. 2005;353:2788.
  4. Signs and symptoms of heart failure. American Heart Association. http://www.americanheart.org/print_presenter.jhtml?identifier=339. Accessed June 6, 2009.
  5. Harris MD, et al. High-altitude medicine. American Academy of Family Physicians. http://www.aafp.org/afp/AFPprinter/980415ap/harris.html?print=yes. Accessed June 6, 2009.
  6. O'Brien JF, et al. Heart failure. In: Marx JA, et al. Rosen's Emergency Medicine Concepts and Practice. Philadelphia, Pa.; Mosby Elsevier: 2006. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/141932241-3/849416907/1365/226.html#4-u1.0-B0-323-02845-4..50085-8--cesec4_3780. Accessed June 6, 2009.
  7. What causes cardiomyopathy? National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/cm/cm_causes.html. Accessed June 6, 2009.
  8. What is ARDS?  National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/Ards/Ards_All.html. Accessed June 4, 2009.
  9. Givertz MM. Noncardiogenic pulmonary edema. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed June 5, 2009.
  10. Swenson ER. Pathogenesis of high-altitude pulmonary edema: Inflammation is not an etiologic factor. Journal of the American Medical Association. 2002; 287: 2295
  11. Mattu A, et al. Modern management of cardiogenic pulmonary edema. Emergency Medicine Clinics of North America. 2005;23:1105
  12. Acetazolamide (Prescribing information). Haifa Bay, Israel. Taro Pharmaceuticals, Inc. http://www.taro.com/media/oMedia/Acetazolamide%20Tablets%20%200305-1.pdf. Accessed June 6, 2009.
  13. ABCs of Preventing Heart Disease, Stroke and Heart Attack. American Heart Association. http://americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=3035374. Accessed June 6, 2009.
  14. How do I know if I have high blood pressure. American Heart Association. http://www.americanheart.org/print_presenter.jhtml?identifier=219. Accessed June 6, 2009.
  15. About high blood pressure. American Heart Association. http://www.americanheart.org/print_presenter.jhtml?identifier=468. Accessed June 6, 2009.
  16. How can I reduce high blood pressure? American Heart Association. Accessed June 6, 2009.
  17. Cigarette smoking and cardiovascular disease. American Heart Association. http://www.americanheart.org/print_presenter.jhtml?identifier=4545. Accessed June 6, 2009.
  18. Rosenow EC (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. June 12, 2009.
  19. Grogan M (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic. Rochester, Minn. June 12, 2009.

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July 31, 2009

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