cardiovascular disorders
Pulmonary Edema
Diagnosis of Pulmonary Edema
Clinical evaluation showing severe dyspnea and pulmonary crackles Chest x-ray Sometimes serum brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) or N-terminal-pro BNP (NT-pro-BNP) ECG, cardiac markers, and other tests for etiology as needed A Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) can mimic pulmonary edema due to LV failure or even that due to biventricular failure if A chest x-ray, done immediately, is usually diagnostic, showing marked interstitial edema. Bedside measurement of serum BNP/NT-proBNP levels (elevated in pulmonary edema; normal in COPD exacerbation) is helpful if the diagnosis is in doubt. ECG, pulse oximetry, and blood tests (cardiac markers, electrolytes, BUN [bloodureanitrogen], creatinine and, for severely ill patients, arterial blood gas [ABG] measurements) are done. Echocardiography may be helpful to determine the cause of the pulmonary edema (eg, Acute Myocardial Infarction (MI) , Hypoxemia can be severe. Carbon dioxide retention is a late, ominous sign of secondary hypoventilation. 