Pulmonary edema associated with upper airway obstruction.
We retrospectively surveyed records of 153 patients with croup or epiglottitis. Thirty-four children required intubation of the trachea to relieve upper airway obstruction. In those requiring intubation, pulmonary edema occurred in four (12%) of 34. Review of 17 previously reported cases, along with our patients, demonstrated that onset of pulmonary edema due to upper airway obstruction usually follows intubation. A PaO2 below 50 mm Hg is observed in 38% and pneumothorax in 24% of all reported cases. Supplemental oxygen, positive end-expiratory pressure, mechanical ventilation, and chest tube drainage have prevented death despite these life-threatening complications.
D000328:Adult; D000402:Airway Obstruction / Q000150:complications* / Q000628:therapy; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004826:Epiglottitis / Q000150:complications; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007442:Intubation, Intratracheal / Q000009:adverse effects; D007818:Laryngeal Diseases / Q000150:complications; D008297:Male; D010102:Oxygen Inhalation Therapy; D011030:Pneumothorax / Q000209:etiology; D011175:Positive-Pressure Respiration; D011654:Pulmonary Edema / Q000209:etiology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014136:Tracheitis / Q000150:complications; D012122:Ventilators, Mechanical