Pathophysiology of Pulmonary Edema Therapeutics

Pulmonary edema occurs when there is an excess of fluid in the air spaces of the lungs, known as the alveoli. There are two main types of pulmonary edema - cardiogenic and non-cardiogenic. Cardiogenic pulmonary edema occurs when fluid backs up into the lungs due to left ventricular failure of the heart that causes elevated pulmonary venous and capillary pressures. The most common causes are heart failure due to conditions like myocardial infarction, cardiomyopathy, valvular heart disease etc. Non-cardiogenic pulmonary edema develops due to injury to the alveolar-capillary membrane from causes like acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), near drowning, high altitude sickness etc. This allows fluid from the pulmonary blood vessels to leak into the alveolar air spaces.

Regardless of the underlying cause, Pulmonary Edema Therapeutics impairs gas exchange and reduces oxygen intake leading to symptoms of breathlessness, cough with frothy sputum and respiratory distress if severe. Timely recognition and treatment is essential to prevent acute respiratory failure.

Conventional Therapies for Cardiogenic Pulmonary Edema

The mainstay of therapy for cardiogenic pulmonary edema historically involved diuretics, vasodilators and oxygen administration. Loop diuretics like furosemide work by increasing salt and water excretion from the kidneys, reducing preload and afterload on the heart. This helps relieve pulmonary congestion. Vasodilators like nitroglycerin and nitroprusside work rapidly by dilating veins and arteries, lowering both preload and afterload. They improve heart function and decrease pulmonary capillary pressure. Oxygen therapy improves oxygenation and respiratory function.

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