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Thursday, December 8, 2011

The two types of pulmonary edema

Fluid can sometimes build up in the lungs, and we generally refer to this as pulmonary edema.  There are two types of pulmonary edema: 

1.  Caradiogenic:  Fluid backs up from a weakened heart.  Pulmonary pressure increases, and this fluid is forced into the parychemal tissue lining the bronchi and alveoi.

2.  Noncardiogenic:  The heart did not cause the pulmonary edema.  There is a simple pneumonic to remember all the disorders that fit into this category:  NOT CARDIAC.  As noted:
  • Near drowning
  • Oxygen therapy
  • Transfusion or Trauma
  • CNS disorder
  • ARDS, aspiration or altitude sickness
  • Renal disorder or resuscitation
  • Drugs
  • Inhaled toxins
  • Allergic alveolitis
  • Contrast or contusion
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