Acute cardiogenic pulmonary edema.

This article examines the pathophysiology, diagnosis, treatment, and outcome of acute cardiogenic pulmonary edema, as well as re-expansion, high-altitude, postobstructive, and neurogenic pulmonary edemas. Acute cardiogenic pulmonary edema most commonly presents as a consequence of congestive heart failure. The other important causes are acute myocardial dysfunction, documented myocardial infarction, postoperative cardiac dysfunction, and pulmonary hypertension. All these entities have in common increased pulmonary vascular pressures that lead to pulmonary edema.