Korean J Anesthesiol.  1984 Dec;17(4):381-388.

Clinical Analysis of Pulmonary Edema in Surgical Patients

• Chang CW
• Kim AR
• Jeon JK

Abstract

Pulmonary edema in surgical patients is known to be a complication resulting from various causative factors. We have analysed 10 cases observed in the Dong San Medical Center and 18 cases reported in the Journal of the Korean Society of Anesthesiologists in terms of sex, age, causing factor, onset, therapy etc. As a result of this study, the summary is as follows: 1) The most common causes of pulmonary edema in surgical patients were overloading, followed by heart failure, hypoalbuminemia, sepasis, severe trauma and unknown causes in that order. 2) Pulmonary edema can develop in any surgical patient without a direct realtionship to age, sex or type of peration. 3) The incidence tended to be higher in emergency patients than in elective patients because their general condition was worse and the surgical procedures were done in such haste. 4) The onset of pulmonary edema seems to occur commonly at the end of surgery, particularly when the patients were extubated and then followed by endotracheal suction because negative pressure is applled for suction as the positive pressure was removed for extubation. 5) Active therapy for pulmonary edema has been generally successful because of advanced respiratory care with various sophisticated respirators.

MeSH Terms

Emergencies
Heart Failure
Humans
Hypoalbuminemia
Incidence
Pulmonary Edema*
Suction
Ventilators, Mechanical