The risk of fatal re-expansion pulmonary oedema in poor left ventricular reserve

Interact Cardiovasc Thorac Surg. 2009 Aug;9(2):350-1. doi: 10.1510/icvts.2008.201640. Epub 2009 May 1.

Abstract

Re-expansion pulmonary oedema (REPO) is an uncommon complication which may be encountered following drainage of pneumothorax, pleural effusion or haemopneumothorax. Treatment is usually supportive and some patients may require positive pressure ventilation. We provide a novel description of the mechanism of a fatal REPO in a patient with a small and non-compliant left ventricle (LV). We urge for an extreme caution when performing thoracocentesis in patients with poor LV reserve.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Cardiomyopathy, Hypertrophic / complications
  • Cardiomyopathy, Hypertrophic / diagnostic imaging
  • Cardiomyopathy, Hypertrophic / physiopathology
  • Cardiomyopathy, Hypertrophic / surgery*
  • Echocardiography, Doppler, Color
  • Echocardiography, Transesophageal
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Heart Arrest / etiology
  • Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation / adverse effects*
  • Hemodynamics
  • Humans
  • Hypertrophy, Left Ventricular / complications
  • Hypertrophy, Left Ventricular / diagnostic imaging
  • Hypertrophy, Left Ventricular / physiopathology
  • Hypertrophy, Left Ventricular / surgery*
  • Male
  • Mitral Valve Insufficiency / complications
  • Mitral Valve Insufficiency / diagnostic imaging
  • Mitral Valve Insufficiency / physiopathology
  • Mitral Valve Insufficiency / surgery*
  • Pleural Effusion / etiology
  • Pleural Effusion / physiopathology
  • Pleural Effusion / surgery*
  • Pulmonary Edema / etiology*
  • Pulmonary Edema / physiopathology
  • Punctures / adverse effects
  • Ventricular Function, Left*