"Pseudocardiogenic" pulmonary edema.

Fifteen postoperative surgical patients, in whom noncardiac pulmonary edema developed were studied. A presumptive diagnosis of left ventricle failure would have been based on historical evidence of heart disease (80%), electrocardiographic changes of ischemia or arrythmia (87%), or cardiogenic shock (20%). (see article) Fig. 6. PAEDP-PCW gradient. Note that arterial oxygen tension had an inverse relationship to this pressure differential. Roentgenographic findings included pulmonary edema (73%), pulmonary vascular congestion (60%), cardiomegaly or congestive heart failure (40%). Mean increase in A-aDO2 was 290 torr. Further cardiovascular investigation seemed to exclude left ventricular failure. Mean cardiac index was 4.1 plus or minus 1.3 L/min/m2; pulmonary capillary wedge pressure 4 plus or minus 2.7 torr, and stroke work was 87 plus or minus 8.7 gm-meters. Possible etiologic agents included elevated pulmonary artery pressure (67%), allergic reactions (27%), peritonitis or multiple system trauma (54%), or multiple transfusions (33%). Forty-seven per cent of the entire group survived. Therapy was directed toward the underlying noncardiogenic suspected etiology. Direct cardiovascular measurements were necessary to correct the erroneous though seemingly well founded suspected diagnosis of left ventricular failure in these patients.