Key result
Pulmonary embolism can cause acute pulmonary oedema, potentially due to altered left ventricular function, increased microvascular permeability, overperfusion, or reperfusion injury.
Case Report (n=2)
Highlights the importance of considering underlying pulmonary embolism in patients presenting with acute pulmonary oedema to ensure timely appropriate therapy.
Supports considering PE in unexplained acute pulmonary oedema; leaves open confirmation of mechanisms and incidence in larger cohorts.
Acute pulmonary oedema is a well-described complication of pulmonary embolism. However, the relationship between these two conditions is not widely appreciated by physicians and the diagnosis of an underlying pulmonary embolism in patients with pulmonary oedema may well be missed. We describe two cases in which pulmonary oedema complicated pulmonary embolism, and discuss the possible factors involved in the development of oedema. These include altered left ventricular (LV) function, increased lung microvascular permeability, overperfusion and reper-fusion injury. We also emphasise the importance of considering the possibility of an underlying pulmonary embolism in patients with pulmonary oedema so that appropriate thrombolytic therapy can be given early.
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Montgomery et al. (1995) conducted a case report in Pulmonary embolism and pulmonary oedema (n=2). Pulmonary embolism was evaluated. Pulmonary embolism can cause acute pulmonary oedema, potentially due to altered left ventricular function, increased microvascular permeability, overperfusion, or reperfusion injury.
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