Pulmonary Edema in Pregnancy

Abstract

Pulmonary edema is characterized by the movement of excess fluid into the alveoli of the lungs.  Although the alterations of cardiovascular and pulmonary physiology in pregnancy may predispose patients to pulmonary edema, it is never normal and constitutes severe maternal morbidity.  The etiologies of pulmonary edema are diverse, ranging from disease processes independent of pregnancy to pathophysiology unique to the gravid state.  The causes of pulmonary edema can be broadly classified as either cardiogenic or noncardiogenic, which constitutes the first important branch point in the diagnosis and management of the disease.  The treatment of pulmonary edema in pregnancy parallels that in the nonpregnant population with an emphasis on maintaining the physiologic alterations of pregnancy through supportive care, including mechanical ventilation if needed.  In all cases of pulmonary edema, the decision to proceed with delivery to improve the maternal status should be considered within the context of the etiology and anticipated disease course, the gestational age, and the goals of care. This review contains  3 figures, 4 tables, and 60 references. Key Words:  Pulmonary edema, respiratory alkalosis, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), cardiogenic pulmonary edema, transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI), transfusion-associated circulatory overload (TACO), mechanical ventilation, extra corporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO).