Edema agudo de pulmón por presión negativa secundario a laringoespasmo

Abstract

Acute negative pressure pulmonary edema is a form of potentially serious noncardiogenic pulmonary edema that usually occurs in young healthy subjects capable of generating elevated negative intrathoracic pressures by vigorously inhaling a blocked upper airway. In adults, the most frequent cause is postextubation laryngospasm in the immediate postoperative period. It can present in 0.05-0.1% of healthy patients under general anesthesia. This paper reports the case of a 24-year-old male with no pathological history, who was presented to the general surgery service of the Hospital Regional Santa Teresa, Comayagua, Honduras, to perform open cholecystectomy for chronic cholecystitis. The surgical procedure was performed without complications; 15 minutes of the immediate postoperative period, post-extubation, patient presented clinical manifestations of sudden dyspnea, cyanosis and hemoptysis. On physical examination were found hypoxemia, tachypnea (BR = 40 bfm) and bilateral craniocereus on pulmonary auscultation. Complementary tests and image were performed and NPPE was diagnosed. Treatment with oxygen therapy, corticosteroids and diuretics was started, during 72 hours evolving favorably. The clinical findings of the acute negative pressure pulmonary edema can be confused with a wide range of clinical entities, so it is extremely important to carry out an adequate approach and differential diagnosis. The introduction of appropriate therapeutic measures offers a favorable prognosis and generally a wide decrease in mortality.