Pulmonary edema and respiratory insufficiency in acute pancreatitis.

Pulmonary edema, cardiac enlargement, and respiratory insufficiency may occur in patients with acute pancreatitis. The mechanisms are complex and incompletely understood, but probable etiologic factors include fluid overload, left ventricular failure, impaired respiratory excursion and microatelectasis, and a nonspecific response of the lung to various types of pulmonary injury including hypotension, intravenous crystalloids, and the effects of circulating pancreatic enzymes. Recognition of the association of pulmonary edema and respiratory insufficiency with pancreatitis is importance because early treatment with positive pressure breathing, careful fluid management and diuretics, and corticosteroids may prevent the development of irreversible respiratory failure.