The Pulmonary System: Pulmonary Edema and Acute Lung Injury

Question 1

Pulmonary Edema refers to _______.
Caused from:
1.
2.

Answer 1

collection of transudate or exudate fluid in the alveolar spaces

1. Hemodynamic imbalance
2. Direct alveolar injury

Question 2

Hemodynamic causes:
1.
2.
3.

Answer 2

1. increased hydrostatic pressure:
   - increased pulmonary capillary pressure causing “plasma” transudate to form in alveoli
   - edema is “dependent” (settles with gravity)
   - causes: left heart failure, volume overload, pulmonary hypertension
2. Lymphatic obstruction (rare)
3. decreased oncotic pressure

Question 3

Injury to alveolar septal tissues (epithelial cells, basement membrane, capillary endothelial cells) results in ________

Answer 3

leakage of fluid from blood into alveolar spaces

Question 4

Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome: a clinical syndrome resulting from _____

Answer 4

diffuse alveolar capillary injury

Question 5

ARDS is characterized by

Answer 5

rapid onset of sever respiratory insufficiency, cyanosis, hypoxemia;
resistant to oxygen therapy due to loss of gas exchange surface (alveoli filled with fluid)
- direct injury and systemic disorders can both be causes

Question 6

ARDS pathophysiological findings:

1. regardless the main finding is: ____
2. protein rich _____ collects in alveoli
3. _____ are attracted and activated
4. ____ and phagocyte-released ______ and _____ contribute to tissue injury, signs and symptoms
5. recovery usually associated with some degree of pulmonary ____

Answer 6

1. diffuse alveolar damage
2. exudate
3. neutrophils
4. cytokines; digestive enzymes and oxygen radicals
5. fibrosis