The risk of fatal re-expansion pulmonary oedema in poor left ventricular reserve.
Re-expansion pulmonary oedema (REPO) is an uncommon complication which may be encountered following drainage of pneumothorax, pleural effusion or haemopneumothorax. Treatment is usually supportive and some patients may require positive pressure ventilation. We provide a novel description of the mechanism of a fatal REPO in a patient with a small and non-compliant left ventricle (LV). We urge for an extreme caution when performing thoracocentesis in patients with poor LV reserve.
Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Northern General Hospital, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Sheffield S5 7AU, UK.
Manish
M
Chowdhary
Edward W K
EW
Peng
Pradip K
PK
Sarkar
D000368:Aged; D002312:Cardiomyopathy, Hypertrophic / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D018618:Echocardiography, Doppler, Color; D017548:Echocardiography, Transesophageal; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D006323:Heart Arrest / Q000209:etiology; D019918:Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006439:Hemodynamics; D006801:Humans; D017379:Hypertrophy, Left Ventricular / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008944:Mitral Valve Insufficiency / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D010996:Pleural Effusion / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D011654:Pulmonary Edema / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D011677:Punctures / Q000009:adverse effects; D016277:Ventricular Function, Left