CJEM Articles: pulmonary edema
Displaying 1-3 of 3 results
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May
2010
12
3
Cyril Garrouste, Dominique Lauque, Marie Tubery, Nassim Kamar, Natacha Caubet-Kamar
Alcohol-free licorice beverages contain glycyrrhizic acid. Excess glycyrrhizic acid is a well-known cause of excess mineralocorticoid syndrome. We report a case of glycyrrhizic acid poisoning in an abstinent alcoholic complicated by severe pulmonary edema following excessive hydration with intravenous normal saline.
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March
2009
11
2
Antonio Meriano, Caitlin Dunne
The presentation of acute dyspnea after pregnancy is rare, but should bring a number of important conditions to the mind of the attending physician. Pulmonary embolism, amniotic fluid embolism, pneumonia, aspiration and pulmonary edema are some of the potentially devastating causes that must be considered. The percentage of pregnancies that are complicated by acute pulmonary edema has been estimated to be 0.08%. The most common contributing factors include the administration of tocolytic agents, underlying cardiac disease, iatrogenic fluid overload and preeclampsia. No matter what the underlying pathology, prompt administration of appropriate resuscitation is always the first priority. Only after the patient has been stabilized can attention be turned to diagnosis and specific treatment. This case examines one such presentation and reviews some of the diagnostic possibilities.
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January
2001
3
1
Kenneth G. Evans, Peter J. Zed, Riyad B. Abu-Laban, Roy A. Purssell
Few health care professionals realize that topical anesthetic spray can cause methemoglobinemia. We describe a 56-year-old woman who was transferred to our emergency department when severe cyanosis and chest pain developed after administration of topical oropharyngeal benzocaine and lidocaine during outpatient endoscopy. Investigations revealed a methemoglobin level of 51%. Despite rapid diagnosis and treatment with methylene blue, pulmonary edema consistent with adult respiratory distress syndrome developed, endotracheal intubation was required, and the patient suffered a lengthy course in the intensive care unit. This article presents a detailed discussion of the pathophysiology, diagnosis and treatment of methemoglobinemia, as well as a qualitative systematic review of the English literature on methemoglobinemia induced by topical anesthetic. The implications of this condition for emergency physicians are also outlined.
