Autor(es):
Calixto, L.
; Sá, J.
Data: 2013
Identificador Persistente: http://hdl.handle.net/10400.16/1515
Origem: Repositório Científico do Centro Hospitalar do Porto
Descrição
Background: The Negative Pressure Pulmonary Edema (NPPE) is a multifactorial
condition,reported in patients af ter general anesthesia. Despite being
uncommon (0.05-0.1%),it is a potentially life-threatening emergency that can
be fatal in 11-40%.It characteristically occurs af ter endotracheal intubation,
but has already been described af ter Laringeal Mask Airway (LMA) use(1). As
its occurrence is under-reported, our aim is to point out the importance of an
expeditious diagnosis.
Case report: 24-yr-old woman (50Kg, 1,60m), presented to the ambulatory
surgery center for an a xillary ganglia excisional biopsy. Patient’s medical history
was relevant only for a recurrent spontaneous pneumotorax. Unknown
allergies.Normal pre-operative study.
Inhalatory anesthesia,atraumatic LMA place.Anesthesia and surgical procedure
were uneventful. Transferred to Postanesthesia Care Unit (PACU), spontaneously
ventilating (SV).
Ten minutes later, marked respiratory distress, tachypnea, cyanosis, accessory
muscle utilization and significant arterial oxygen desaturation (40%)-treated
by positive-pressure mask ventilation until improved peripheral oxygen saturation.
Physical examination revealed bilateral dif fuse crackles and respiratory
failure type I (PaO2 52mmHg). Chest radiograph with bilateral pulmonary
infiltrates without pneumotorax signs.
[Image 1]
Transferred to Intermediate Care Unit,conscious, hemodynamically stable,
SV with supplemental oxygen,SpO2>90%. An echocardiograph(normal) and
an angio-computed tomography (acute pulmonary edema in resolution, no
signs of thromboembolism) were performed. Progressive recovery without
non-invasive pressure support, discharged from hospital on the 4th postoperative
day. Follow-up in 8 weeks.
Discussion: When considering dif ferential diagnosis of acute-onset perioperative
pulmonary edema, NPPE was considered despite the absence of evident
high airway obstruction. However, the clinical presentation and its rapid
improvement are consistent with the diagnosis. Given the increasing use of
LMA, similar episodes can become recurrent, being crucial its prompt recognition