Other causes of non-cardiogenic pulmonary oedema | Medibuddy
18th February 2025

Other causes of non-cardiogenic pulmonary oedema

  • Transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI) – pulmonary oedema and hypoxia within 6 hours of a blood transfusion. It can be associated with fever and usually causes hypotension compared to transfusion-associated circulatory overload (TACO), with which there is often hypertension. Troponin and NT-pro-BNP are not usually raised, but the latter may be.
  • Re-expansion pulmonary oedema – occurs after rapid expansion of a collapsed lung, e.g. after large volume pleural tap or drainage (greater than 1-1.5 L) with acute shortness of breath usually occurring within hours. It is self-limiting and usually requires only supportive management.
  • Neurogenic pulmonary oedema – may be precipitated by epileptic seizures, traumatic brain injury or intracranial haemorrhage. Symptom onset is usually within minutes to hours and resolves after 48-72 h.
  • Post-obstructive (e.g. after upper airway obstruction due to foreign object or hanging) pulmonary oedema – occurs due to increasing negative intrathoracic pressure whilst trying to inspire despite upper airway obstruction, which substantially increases venous return and may cause vascular damage
  • Salicylate toxicity and opioid overdose
  • Hypoalbuminemia is not a cause of pulmonary oedema but carries a worse prognosis when present
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