Postextubation pulmonary edema: a case series and review.
We report a series of patients with postextubation pulmonary edema who had no obvious risk factors for the development of this syndrome.


METHODS
Patients identified by the pulmonary consultation service at an academic medical center were reviewed.


RESULTS
Fourteen cases were collected and analyzed. The average age was 34.5 years; 12 patients were male. The average BMI was 25.5. None had documented previous lung disease. Most operations were scheduled as outpatient procedures, and the type of surgery ranged from an incision and drainage of a bite wound to an open reduction-internal fixation of the radius. None of the patients had upper airway surgery. The length of surgeries ranged from 27 to 335 min. Laryngospasm was the most commonly identified obstructing event postextubation. Treatment involved airway support when needed, supplemental oxygen, and diuretics.


CONCLUSIONS
It would appear that all patients, especially young men, are at risk for the development of this syndrome and that the pathogenesis remains uncertain in many cases.
Mulkey
Z
Z
Department of Internal Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, 3601 4th Street, Lubbock, TX 79430, United States.
Yarbrough
S
S
Guerra
D
D
Roongsritong
C
C
Nugent
K
K
Phy
M P
MP
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000768:Anesthesia, General; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D020878:Device Removal / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007442:Intubation, Intratracheal / Q000009:adverse effects*; D007826:Laryngismus / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology*; D011654:Pulmonary Edema / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D011859:Radiography; D012307:Risk Factors; D017678:Sex Distribution; D055815:Young Adult