An Unusual Cause of Unilateral Pulmonary Edema

Abstract

Letters16 April 2013An Unusual Cause of Unilateral Pulmonary EdemaChristopher Kanner, MA and Seth M. Hardy, MDChristopher Kanner, MAFrom University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine, Biddeford, and MaineGeneral Medical Center, Augusta, Maine.Search for more papers by this author and Seth M. Hardy, MDFrom University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine, Biddeford, and MaineGeneral Medical Center, Augusta, Maine.Search for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-158-8-201304160-00020 SectionsAboutFull TextPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail Background: The physiology of unilateral pulmonary edema in adults is the same as that of bilateral pulmonary edema. The former is classified as “ipsilateral” or “contralateral,” depending on its relationship to the primary lesion. Causes of ipsilateral pulmonary edema include aspiration, reexpansion, contusion, misplaced central line, veno-occlusive disease, prolonged decubitus positioning, and mitral regurgitation, whereas causes of contralateral pulmonary edema include pulmonary embolism, lobectomy, and denervation (1, 2). The prevalence of unilateral pulmonary edema is not well-studied but may be as high as 2.1% in patients with pulmonary edema. Unilateral pulmonary edema is associated with a higher in-hospital mortality rate ...