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Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.

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Pulmonary edema case study one

Introduction

Case #1

Case #1

Clinical Summary

A 69-year-old male with well-controlled Type I diabetes mellitus (insulin-dependent) presented with upper abdominal and lower chest pain of four hours duration and accompanied by shortness of breath and diaphoresis.

An electrocardiogram revealed multiple premature ventricular contractions (PVCs).

The hospital course was characterized by recurrent pulmonary edema and oliguria.

The terminal event was cardiac arrest.

Autopsy Study

Significant findings at postmortem examination were old and recent myocardial infarctions and evidence of congestive heart failure.

The right and left lungs weighed 950 grams and 750 grams, respectively, and were reddish-brown.

Histopathological Findings

Images courtesy of Professor Peter Anderson DVM PhD and published with permission © PEIR, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Department of Pathology

  • This is a gross photograph of lungs that are distended and red. The reddish coloration of the tissue is due to congestion. Some normal pink lung tissue is seen at the edges of the lungs (arrows).
    This is a gross photograph of lungs that are distended and red. The reddish coloration of the tissue is due to congestion. Some normal pink lung tissue is seen at the edges of the lungs (arrows).
  • This is a gross photograph of lung demonstrating acute pulmonary congestion and edema. A frothy exudate fills the bronchus (arrow).
    This is a gross photograph of lung demonstrating acute pulmonary congestion and edema. A frothy exudate fills the bronchus (arrow).
  • This gross photograph demonstrates the frothy exudate that is being extruded from the lung tissue.
    This gross photograph demonstrates the frothy exudate that is being extruded from the lung tissue.
  • This is a low-power photomicrograph of lung from this case. The lung section has a pale-red color indicating proteinaceous material within the lung.
    This is a low-power photomicrograph of lung from this case. The lung section has a pale-red color indicating proteinaceous material within the lung.
  • This is a higher-power photomicrograph of lung. The edema fluid within the alveoli is visible at this higher magnification (arrows). The thickened pleura (1) is on the left.
    This is a higher-power photomicrograph of lung. The edema fluid within the alveoli is visible at this higher magnification (arrows). The thickened pleura (1) is on the left.
  • This is a higher-power photomicrograph showing edema-filled alveoli in the right portion of this section (arrows).
    This is a higher-power photomicrograph showing edema-filled alveoli in the right portion of this section (arrows).
  • This high-power photomicrograph illustrates the edema fluid within the alveoli (1) and the congestion (RBCs) in the alveolar capillaries (arrows).
    This high-power photomicrograph illustrates the edema fluid within the alveoli (1) and the congestion (RBCs) in the alveolar capillaries (arrows).
References

References

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-In-Chief:Cafer Zorkun, M.D., Ph.D. [2]