Student study notes from paramedic coursework (2023 to 2024), not medical advice. Verify clinical values against current references and your local protocols.
| EMS etiologies | Setting: ER |
Pulmonary edema is categorized into two types: cardiogenic and noncardiogenic.
Cardiogenic pulmonary edema is caused by increased hydrostatic pressure in the pulmonary capillaries, typically due to conditions like heart failure, myocardial infarction, or valvular heart disease, leading to fluid buildup in the lungs.
Noncardiogenic pulmonary edema results from lung injury, increasing vascular permeability and allowing protein-rich fluid to leak into the alveoli and interstitial spaces. This can be seen in acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), which may arise from pneumonia, sepsis, trauma, or other conditions.
Treatment includes diuretics (e.g., furosemide) to reduce fluid overload, vasodilators (e.g., nitroglycerin) to lower preload and pulmonary congestion, and, in severe cases, inotropes like dobutamine for low blood pressure and signs of tissue hypoperfusion. In some cases, ventilatory support is required to improve oxygenation and reduce the work of breathing.