title: Postpneumonectomy pulmonary edema: can it be predicted preoperatively?
abstract: Postpneumonectomy pulmonary edema (PPE) is a rarely reported form of acute lung injury which occurs in up to 4% of all pneumonectomies. The details of two well-documented cases of PPE are described with special emphasis paid to the preoperative lung functions. Both cases illustrated a striking disparity between preserved spirometric lung function and advanced emphysema as detected by quantitative CT emphysema scores and single-breath diffusion of carbon monoxide measurements. Though retrospective in nature, these results suggest a restricted capillary volume plays a critical role in the development of PPE.
authors.affiliation: Pulmonary Disease/Critical Care Service, Fitzsimons Army Medical Center, Aurora, CO, USA.
authors.forename: W E
authors.initials: WE
authors.lastname: Caras
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011013:Pneumonectomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011653:Pulmonary Diffusing Capacity; D011654:Pulmonary Edema / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D011656:Pulmonary Emphysema / Q000150:complications; D012307:Risk Factors