REEXPANSION PULMONARY-EDEMA

Reexpansion pulmonary edema is a rare complication attending the rapid reexpansion of a chronically collapsed lung, such as occurs after eva cuation of a large amount of air or fluid from the pleural space. The condition usually appears unexpectedly and dramatically-immediately or within 1 h in 64% of patients and within 24 h in the remainder. The c linical manifestations are varied; they range from roentgenographic fi ndings alone in asymptomatic patients to severe cardiorespiratory insu fficiency. The radiographic evidence of reexpansion pulmonary edema is a unilateral alveolar filling pattern, seen within a few hours of ree xpansion of the lung. The edema may progress for 24-48 h and persist f or 4-5 days, Human data on the pathophysiology of reexpansion pulmonar y edema derive from small series of patients. case reports, and review s of the literature. In the other hand, a larger body of ?ata exists o n experimental reexpansion pulmonary edema in cats, monkeys, rabbits, sheep, and goats. This review examines the clinical and experimental e vidence For reexpansion pulmonary edema. In addition, we detail the hi storical background, clinical setting, treatment, and outcome of reexp ansion pulmonary edema.