PULMONARY OEDEMA
Introduction
Pulmonary oedema is defined as the build-up of fluid in the lungs usually due to Left ventricular failure and also a result of non-cardiogenic complications (Deepak, 2010). In this essay the three main causes of oedema will be explained, the pathophysiology, the intensity factors and the management in a pre-hospital setting.
Causes of Pulmonary Oedema
The two main causes of oedema are cardiogenic and non-cardiogenic. Cardiogenic pulmonary oedema is defined as the build-up of fluid in the lungs usually due to Heart failure. When the heart loses the ability to pump out blood to systemic circulation, it back flows into the pulmonary circulation. This causes the blood to build up in the pulmonary circulation causing
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The size of the embolus will determine how much of the pulmonary vascular system is affected and the seriousness of the pulmonary oedema (Peate, 2014). When a particular blood vessel is occluded, there will be an increase in hydrostatic and colloid pressure which will cause vascular permeability leading to blood moving into the interstitial space of the capillaries and alveolar via a concentration gradient (Peate, 2014). This will affect alveolar perfusion causing reduced oxygenation of pulmonary blood returning to the heart thus affecting myocardial and systemic …show more content…
Followed by the application of 12 lead electro cardiogram (ECG). It is important to determine whether it is cardiogenic or non-cardiogenic by doing primary and secondary survey. Glycerol trinitrate (vasodilator) to draw the fluid out of the lungs, aspirin (antiplatelet) to prevent or reduce platelet aggregation and flusemide (loop diuretic) that promotes the secretion of sodium and water are administered when a patient has cardiogenic pulmonary oedema. Whether the patient has cardiogenic or non-cardiogenic pulmonary oedema the following procedures will apply, IPPV (Intermittent Positive Pressure Ventilation), PEEP (Positive end –expiratory pressure) and CPAP (Continuous positive airway pressure. Transport immediately to the nearest hospital and reassess every five minutes (Mursell,