Management of pulmonary edema, Biology

Assignment Help:

Pulmonary edema is life-threatening condition and therefore, treated as a medical emergency. As is the case with chronic stable heart failure, identification and correction of any precipitating causes should be attempted. However, because of the acute nature of the problem, the initial management includes a number of additional non-specific measures:

1) The patient should be in propped up position (provided the blood pressure is adequate) with the legs dangling along the side of the bed, if possible, which tends to reduce venous return.

2) 100 per cent O2 should be administered to improve oxygenation. If patient is not maintaining oxygen saturation with nasal oxygen intubation and mechanical ventilation should be considered. This increases intra-alveolar pressure, reduces transudation of fluid from the alveolar capillaries, and impedes venous return to the thorax, reducing pulmonary capillary pressure.

3) Morphine is the drug of choice. It is administered intravenously, in doses from 2 to 5 mg intravenously.  It reduces anxiety, reduces adrenergic vasoconstrictor stimuli to the arteriolar and venous beds, and thereby helps to break a vicious cycle. An antiemetic is usually given along with morphine to reduce chance of vomiting.

4) Intravenous loop diuretics produce rapid diuresis, reduce circulating blood volume and hasten the relief from pulmonary edema.

5)  Afterload reducing agents e.g. IV sodium nitroprusside at 20 to 30 µg/min in patients with systolic BP above 100 mmHg.  

6)  Inotropic support should be provided by dopamine or dobutamine where necessary.

7)  Patients with systolic heart failure who are not receiving digitalis may receive 0.75 to 1.0 mg digoxin intravenously over 15 min. 

8)Sometimes, aminophylline (theophylline ethylenediamine), 240 to 480 mg intravenously, is effective in diminishing bronchoconstriction, increasing renal blood flow and sodium excretion, and augmenting myocardial contractility.

9)  Rotating tourniquets may be applied in an effort to reduce venous return. Once the patient has been stabilized and underlying cause determined, treatment directed at correcting/improving the cause.


Related Discussions:- Management of pulmonary edema

Radiobiology, Radiobiology : This is the study of effects of radiations on ...

Radiobiology : This is the study of effects of radiations on living organisms. Radiobiology is a branch of science which concerned with the action of ions. Radiobiology is the radi

Explain hepaticae, Hepaticae (Liverworts) The gametophyte is thalloid b...

Hepaticae (Liverworts) The gametophyte is thalloid body or simple stem and leaves, with aquatic or semi-terrestrial habit. Rhizoids are multiceillular. Some examples : Mar

What do you mean by somites, Q. What do you mean by somites? Somites ar...

Q. What do you mean by somites? Somites are differentiated portions of mesodermal tissue longitudinally distributed along the embryo and the somites originate the muscle portio

Protozoans, Protozoans Prokaryotes represent only a few thousand of th...

Protozoans Prokaryotes represent only a few thousand of the estimated 2 million species of living beings known on the earth today. The rest are mostly eukaryotes that form the

Explain deformaties of the cliest wall should be noted, Explain Deformaties...

Explain Deformaties of the Cliest wall should be Noted a) Pectus carinatum (pigeon chest): may be associated with Marfan syndrome. b) Pectus excavatum: commonly seen in Marfan

How sugar play a major role in preservation, How sugar play a major role in...

How sugar play a major role in preservation? In so many products, sugars play a major role in preservation. The addition of monosaccharides, like glucose or fructose, to jams a

Approach grafting, Approach grafting In this method both scion and s...

Approach grafting In this method both scion and stock remain rooted. A small slice is cut off from the stem of scion and stock. Scion is bent towards the stock. The two c

Conservation, What term is used to describe the range of organisms in a hab...

What term is used to describe the range of organisms in a habitat

Define the nutritional assessment tools, Define the Nutritional Assessment ...

Define the Nutritional Assessment Tools? Malnutrition/protein energy malnutrition amongst elderly persons has been observed in various studies -be it hospitalized patients, nur

Define nutrient requirements during emergencies, Define Nutrient Requiremen...

Define Nutrient Requirements during Emergencies? The nutritional requirements of the people do change during conditions of unforeseen stress and/or any calamity. Certain recomm

Write Your Message!

Captcha
Free Assignment Quote

Assured A++ Grade

Get guaranteed satisfaction & time on delivery in every assignment order you paid with us! We ensure premium quality solution document along with free turntin report!

All rights reserved! Copyrights ©2019-2020 ExpertsMind IT Educational Pvt Ltd