OBJECTIVE: Reexpansion pulmonary edema (REPE) is a rare yet sometimes fatal complication associated with the treatment of lung diseases such as pleural effusion, pneumothorax, and hemothorax. The current study summarizes our experience with REPE for a 3-year period. METHODS: We prospectively collected demographic and clinical data on consecutive patients presenting to an academic university-based emergency department with spontaneous pneumothorax that was treated with closed thoracostomy for a 3-year period. RESULTS: Eighty-four study patients were enrolled between December 2002 and September 2005. Reexpansion pulmonary edema developed in 25 of 84 (29.8% [95% confidence interval, 21.0-40.2]) patients. Many cases of REPE were small and asymptomatic and only diagnosed on computed tomography of the chest. There was only one death (1.2% [95% confidence interval, A to B]). Reexpansion pulmonary edema was associated with patients with larger pneumothoraces without fibrotic changes and with patients with hypoxia and fibrotic changes. Classic REPE as seen on chest radiograph was 16 (19.0%) in 84 patients. Diffuse REPE as seen only on computed tomography and involved more than 1 lobe was 1 (1.2%) in 84 patients. Isolated REPE as seen only on computed tomography and limited to lesser than 1 lobe was 8 (9.5%) in 84 patients. CONCLUSIONS: The rate of REPE after tube thoracostomy of spontaneous pneumothorax is greater than previously reported and often asymptomatic. The risk of developing REPE is greater with larger pneumothorax, especially in patients without fibrotic lung changes, and with hypoxia in patients with fibrotic changes.
OBJECTIVE: Reexpansion pulmonary edema (REPE) is a rare yet sometimes fatal complication associated with the treatment of lung diseases such as pleural effusion, pneumothorax, and hemothorax. The current study summarizes our experience with REPE for a 3-year period. METHODS: We prospectively collected demographic and clinical data on consecutive patients presenting to an academic university-based emergency department with spontaneous pneumothorax that was treated with closed thoracostomy for a 3-year period. RESULTS: Eighty-four study patients were enrolled between December 2002 and September 2005. Reexpansion pulmonary edema developed in 25 of 84 (29.8% [95% confidence interval, 21.0-40.2]) patients. Many cases of REPE were small and asymptomatic and only diagnosed on computed tomography of the chest. There was only one death (1.2% [95% confidence interval, A to B]). Reexpansion pulmonary edema was associated with patients with larger pneumothoraces without fibrotic changes and with patients with hypoxia and fibrotic changes. Classic REPE as seen on chest radiograph was 16 (19.0%) in 84 patients. Diffuse REPE as seen only on computed tomography and involved more than 1 lobe was 1 (1.2%) in 84 patients. Isolated REPE as seen only on computed tomography and limited to lesser than 1 lobe was 8 (9.5%) in 84 patients. CONCLUSIONS: The rate of REPE after tube thoracostomy of spontaneous pneumothorax is greater than previously reported and often asymptomatic. The risk of developing REPE is greater with larger pneumothorax, especially in patients without fibrotic lung changes, and with hypoxia in patients with fibrotic changes.
Authors: Jeong Seob Yoon; Si Young Choi; Jong Hui Suh; Jin Yong Jeong; Bae Young Lee; Yong Gue Park; Chi Kyung Kim; Chan Beom Park Journal: J Cardiothorac Surg Date: 2013-10-15 Impact factor: 1.637
Authors: Kyoung Chul Cha; Hyun Kim; Ho Jin Ji; Woo Cheol Kwon; Hyung Jin Shin; Yong Sung Cha; Kang Hyun Lee; Sung Oh Hwang; Christopher C Lee; Adam J Singer Journal: Yonsei Med J Date: 2013-01-01 Impact factor: 2.759
Authors: Jeong-Seob Yoon; Jong-Hui Suh; Si Young Choi; Jong Bum Kwon; Bae Young Lee; Sang Haak Lee; Chi Kyung Kim; Chan Beom Park Journal: J Cardiothorac Surg Date: 2013-07-01 Impact factor: 1.637