Acute Pulmonary Edema, with Special Reference to Experimental Studies

Abstract

THERE are many discrepancies between clinical observations, modes of therapy and the conventional explanations of the pathogenesis of pulmonary edema. Even superficial consideration reveals the inadequacies of the accepted explanations for this striking syndrome. In 1941 an editorial called attention to this problem, as follows: "Unfortunately as experimental and clinical observations on pulmonary oedema have accumulated it has become clear that the validity of the 'back pressure' or 'left ventricular failure' theory can no longer be considered as established."¹ DefinitionAcute pulmonary edema is a syndrome characterized by rapid flooding of the lung alveoli with a serous or serosanguinous fluid; . . .