Reexpansion Pulmonary Edema Symptoms, Causes, Prevention, Treatment

Reexpansion pulmonary edema is a complication of treatment of various diseases like pleural effusion, atelectasis or pneumothorax. The pathogenesis of re-expansion pulmonary edema. It is a condition in which the lung re expands right after the emptying of liquid or air from the pleural space. It is a pathological condition. Liquid from the pleural space is removed via thoracentesis. It is a noncardiogenic pulmonary edema. It can occur after chronic lung lobe collapse. It is a rare condition which may occur in 1 to 14 percent of cases. Reexpansion pulmonary edema is a fatal condition and may lead to death.

Reexpansion Pulmonary Edema Symptoms


The symptoms of reexpansion pulmonary edema are all related to chest. Patient feels chest discomfort all the time. Paient have to face problem while breathing and experience persistent severe cough. The cough is not dry cough. Because of fluid filled in the pleural space will produce sputum and patient will experience frothy sputum with cough along with dyspnea. The symptoms will start appearing within 24 hours of the onset of disease. In about 64 percent of cases patients start experiencing symptoms of reexpansionpulomonary edema within one to 2 hours of its onset.

Reexpansion Pulmonary Edema

Reexpansion Pulmonary Edema Causes


Reexpansion pulmonary edema is a condition which rarely occur. Basically it is a complication of various diseases. it usually occurs after treatment of various pulmonary diseases like atelectasis, pneumothorax and pleural effusion. It is common after the treatment of lung collapse which occurred due to pneumothorax. It is can be proved fatal if left untreated. There are 20 percent cases reported with death. Although it is a self limiting condition but the treatment is supportive. The pathophysiology behind the re-expansion pulmonary edema is still unknown. This condition is still under studies to check the exact reason behind it.

Reexpansion Pulmonary Edema Treatment


reexpansion pulmonary edema is a rare and self limiting condition. The treatment strategy is supportive which consist of noninvasive and invasive ventilation. Oxygen supplementation is also a treatment option. Along with this supportive treatment strategy, the prevention is also necessary. The treatment is necessary for the patients having problem with respiration i.e. dyspnea. In dyspnea, the artificial oxygen supply will help a lot in breathing properly. physician should follow some preventive measures while treating pulmonary diseases. these preventions will reduce the chances of occurrence of reexpansion pulmonary edema. It may resolve on its own after some days. Or it may take weeks.

Reexpansion Pulmonary Edema Prevention


Reexpansion pulmonary edema can be avoided by following some preventive measures during thoracentesis. A low negative pressure i.e. – 20 cm H20 should be used for the purpose of suction during tube thoracostomy. The pleural fluid drainage should be made limited in case patient report discomfort. Some studies revealed that large volumes can be removed from pleural space if the pleural pressure monitored properly. if patient reports about some vague pressure in chest during Thoracentesis, it may indicate a suspicious drop in the intrapleural pressure and in that case, Thoracentesis should be stopped.

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