Noncardiac Pulmonary Edema

Suggested Alternatives for Differential Diagnosis Drug induced noncardiac pulmonary edema, acute respiratory distress syndrome, pneumonic plague, tularemia, Q fever, and viral influenza. 

Mountain R, Ferguson S, Fowler A, Hyers T. Noncardiac pulmonary edema following administration of parenteral paraldehyde. Chest 1982 82(3) 371-2. 

Hypoglycemia Hypovolemic shock Metabolic acidosis Noncardiac pulmonary edema... 

Noncardiac pulmonary edema Peripheral neuropathy Renal failure... 

Noncardiac pulmonary edema Renal Failure Respiratory failure... 

Hemorrhagic gastroenteritis Noncardiac pulmonary edema Pneumonitis Skin ulcers... 

Noncardiac pulmonary edema Respiratory failure Respiratory infection... 

Noncardiac pulmonary edema Renal failure - oliguric Respiratory failure Shock... 

Cardiac conduction disturbances and dysrhythmias Myocardial ischemia Noncardiac pulmonary edema [1]... 

Corneal injury/blindness Noncardiac pulmonary edema Pneumonia... 

Noncardiac pulmonary edema Pulmonary necrosis Renal necrosis... 

Pulmonary edema noted after a toxic inhalant exposure should be treated similarly to adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) or noncardiac pulmonary edema. The early application of PEEP is desirable, possibly delaying or reducing the severity of pulmonary edema. Diuretics are of limited value however, if diuretics are used, it is use-... 

If abnormal, these measurements mandate close observation and support at the intensive care level. If the measurements are normal, they all must be repeated 4 to 6 hours after the suspected exposure only then can an individual be released to a lower medical priority status. Abnormality of any one of those measures, in the absence of other explanation, should prompt institution of therapy for noncardiac pulmonary edema. At the early stages of treatment, therapy should include positive airway pressure with early application of the PEEP mask. Later application of positive pressure ventilation through intubation may be required if the PEEP mask fails to maintain adequate arterial Po2. 

There is no chemically specific prophylactic or postexposure therapy for exposure to HC. Routine clinical support for specific complaints of acute tracheobronchitis and noncardiac pulmonary edema has been detailed previously (see the section titled General Therapeutic Considerations). Systemic steroid therapy is thought to be useful in treatment of the inflammatory fibrosis seen with this disorder.29-32... 

Specific therapy for the observed noncardiac pulmonary edema symptoms has been derived from clinical experience with ARDS. Pulmonary edema responds clinically to application of positive airway pressure. PEEP/CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) masks are of initial value. Intubation may be required. 

Usually reversible within 48-72 h, implying noncardiac pulmonary edema rather than inflammatory interstitial pneumonitis. 

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