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Pulmonary edema - Treatment

Alternative Names

Lung/pulmonary congestion; Lung water

Treatment:

Oxygen is given through a face mask or tiny plastic tubes (prongs) placed in the nose. A breathing tube may be placed into the windpipe (trachea). A breathing machine (ventilator) may be needed.

The cause of the edema should be rapidly identified and treated. For example, if a heart attack has caused the condition, the heart must be treated and stabilized.

Water pills (diuretics), such as furosemide (Lasix) may be given to help excess water leave the body with the urine. Medications to strengthen the heart muscle, control its rhythm, or to relieve the pressure on the heart may also be given.

Expectations (prognosis):

Although pulmonary edema is a life-threatening condition, it can be treated. How well a patient does depends on what is causing the edema and what treatment is given.

Complications:

Some patients may need to use a breathing machine for a long time. If not treated, this condition can be fatal.

Calling your health care provider:

Go to the emergency room or call 911 if you have breathing problems.

Lungs

Respiratory system

Reviewed last on: 9/3/2008
Larry A. Weinrauch, MD, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Cardiovascular Disease and Clinical Outcomes Research, Watertown, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Hess OM, Carroll JD. Clinical assessment of heart failure. In: Libby P, Bonow RO, Mann DL, Zipes DP, eds. Braunwald's Heart Disease: A Textbook of Cardiovascular Medicine. 8th ed. Philadelphia, Pa; Saunders Elsevier; 2007: chap 23.

American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association. ACC/AHA Task Force on Practice Guidelines. Update to the 2001 Guidelines for the Evaluation and Management of Heart Failure. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2005;46(6):e1-82.

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