When capillary hydrostatic pressure exceeds the colloid osmotic
pressures fluid is forced to move into the interstitium due to the disruption
of the passive nature of the filtration process. If the fluid shifting is not
controlled by lymphatic drainage then the fluid will then permeate the
alveolus. This significantly affects the ability of gasses to exchange via the
blood-gas barrier. Thereby causing the hallmark auscultated “inspiratory
crackles” lung sounds. The patient often manifests this symptomology through
persistent cough, hypoxemia, and feelings of shortness of breath. Patients will
also often have the hallmark of pulmonary edema present, pink-tinged, frothy
sputum (Heuther and McCanse 2008).
The following diagram from Guazzi (2003),
displays this process:
According to mayoclininc.com the
following is found to be true : if pulmonary edema persists, it can raise
pressure in the pulmonary artery and eventually the right ventricle begins to
fail. The right ventricle has a much thinner wall of muscle than does the left
side. The increased pressure backs up into the right atrium and then into
various parts of your body, where it can cause:
§
Leg swelling (edema)
§
Abdominal swelling (ascites)
§
Buildup of fluid in the membranes that surround your lungs
(pleural effusion)
Comments (0):