Recurrent negative pressure pulmonary edema

Negative pressure pulmonary edema after laparoscopic cholecystectomy: A case report and literature review

RATIONALE

Negative pressure pulmonary edema (NPPE) is an acute onset of non-cardiogenic interstitial pulmonary edema, commonly seen among surgical patients after extubation from general aneasthesia. It is mainly caused by rapid inspiration with acute upper airway obstruction resulting in significant negative thoracic pressure.

PATIENT CONCERNS

A 24-year-old female patient who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy under general anesthesia and developed NPPE postoperatively.

DIAGNOSES

Her main clinical manifestation was coughing up pink foamy sputum; postoperative CT showed increased texture in both lungs and bilateral ground glass opacities.

INTERVENTIONS

Diuretics and steroids were used, and symptomatic supportive treatments such as oxygen were given.

OUTCOMES

After treatment, on the fourth post-operative day, her symptoms were relieved and her vital signs were stable enough for her to be discharged.

LESSONS

Although this is a rare and severe complication, the prognosis of NPPE is good when it is managed with proper diagnosis and treatment.

Negative pressure pulmonary edema after general anesthesia: A case report and literature review

RATIONALE

Negative pressure pulmonary edema (NPPE) is a dangerous clinical complication and potentially life-threatening emergency without prompt diagnosis and intervention during recovery period after anesthetic extubation.

PATIENT CONCERNS

A 25-year-old woman has undergone endoscopic thyroidectomy. After extubation, the patient developed acute respiratory distress with high airway resistance accompanied with wheezing, oxyhemoglobin saturation (SpO2) decreased to 70%. With positive pressure mask ventilation, her condition was stable, SpO2 99%. However, the patient developed pink frothy sputum with diffuse bilateral rales 30 min later after transported to surgical intensive care unit (SICU).

DIAGNOSES

Negative pressure pulmonary edema.

INTERVENTIONS

The patient was undergone assisted ventilation with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) and furosemide 20 mg was given intravenously.

OUTCOMES

Postoperative day (POD) 2 her condition became stable, computed tomography (CT) scan indicated the pulmonary edema disappeared. The patient was discharged 6 days later. No abnormalities were observed during following 4 weeks.

LESSONS

Although usually the onset of NPPE is rapid, with individual differences NPPE is still challenging. Increased vigilance in monitoring, diagnosis, and treatment are essential to prevent aggravation and further complication.

Negative pressure pulmonary edema postextubation following medial nerve repair with sural graft surgery in a young patient: A case report

RATIONALE

Negative pressure pulmonary edema (NPPE) is a serious well-described pulmonary complication. It occurs after an intense inspiratory effort against an obstructed or closed upper airway and generates a large negative airway pressure, leading to severe pulmonary edema (transvascular fluid filtration and interstitial/alveolar edema) and hypoxemia. We present a case of NPPE following general anesthesia in a patient who underwent median nerve neurorrhaphy with graft from lower left limb (sural nerve) due to sharp injury.

PATIENT CONCERNS

A 39-year-old Hispanic male was admitted to the Hospital Universitario de San José and scheduled to undergo a median nerve neurorrhaphy under general anesthesia. Preoperative vital signs, physical examination, and laboratory assessments were unremarkable. At the end of surgery, anesthetic agents were ceased after patient responded to commands and maintained eye contact. However, immediately after extubation, anesthesia care providers observed marked respiratory distress and rapid development of hypoxia.

DIAGNOSES

After extubation, patient presented multiple episodes of hemoptysis, tachypnea (25 per minute), blood oxygen saturation (SpO2) of 82% and abundant bilateral pulmonary rales. A baseline chest x-ray revealed symmetric parenchymal opacities with ground-glass attenuation and bilateral multilobar consolidations patterns. The diagnosis of NPPE was established and supportive treatment was initiated.

INTERVENTIONS

The patient received noninvasive mechanical ventilation with a PEEP at 10 cmH2O, intravenous furosemide (20 mg.) every 12 hours, and fluids restriction. Patient remained in PACU for continuing monitoring and laboratory/imaging follow-up testing until next morning.

OUTCOMES

On postoperative day 1, patient responded satisfactorily to supportive treatment and transferred to the general care floor; oxygen supplementation was discontinued 12 hours after extubation time. On postoperative day 3, after the evaluation of a chest x-ray, patient was discharged to home in stable conditions LESSON:: The occurrence of NPPE in the perioperative setting could be successfully managed with supportive regimens, effective clinical team coordination, and awareness of the importance of its rapid diagnosis.

The vital role of the right ventricle in the pathogenesis of acute pulmonary edema

The development of acute pulmonary edema involves a complex interplay between the capillary hydrostatic, interstitial hydrostatic, and oncotic pressures and the capillary permeability. We review the pathophysiological processes involved and illustrate the concepts in a number of common clinical situations including heart failure with normal and reduced ejection fractions, mitral regurgitation, and arrhythmias. We also describe other rarer causes including exercise, swimming, and diving-induced acute pulmonary edema. We suggest a unifying framework in which the critical abnormality is a mismatch or imbalance between the right and left ventricular stroke volumes. In conclusion, we hypothesize that increased right ventricular contraction is an important contributor to the sudden increase in capillary hydrostatic pressure, and therefore, a central mechanism involved in the development of alveolar edema.