Tag Archives: pulmonary oedema
Iatrogenic overhydration: diagnostic nightmaresville
The inconvenient bottom line is that there is nothing intrinsic about the appearance of effusions or tissue oedema caused by fluid overload to distinguish them from those caused by congestive heart failure or any other pathological process. We have to infer the probable cause (or causes) from history, physical examination, clin path and imaging. So, cardiogenic … Continue reading
Why is this cat with a huge left atrium not in congestive failure?
This is a cat we saw last week. She presented for routine vaccination and was found to have a tachydysrhythmia. No hyperpnoea, no dyspnoea, outwardly well. This is her echocardiography. First, right long axis four chamber view: Her left atrium measures about 28mm (normal being <16mm). Technically, that falls into the ‘huge’ category. … Continue reading
Lung ultrasound: ‘flooding’ in fulminant pulmonary oedema in cats and a comparison with pneumonia
Pulmonary oedema in cats and dogs is typically characterised by increased ‘B lines’ (also known as ultrasound lung rockets or comet-tail artefacts). This is a feature of oedema in the broadest sense and is not specific to aetiology. Differential diagnosis of this phenomenon includes trauma, electrocution, acute respiratory distress syndrome/acute lung injury, overhydration, asthma, near-downing … Continue reading
Pulmonary oedema as judged by lung ultrasound: recent advances
Lung ultrasound remains a hot topic with the publication this year of another couple of great articles. Tommaso Vezzosi and colleagues look at the diagnostic accuracy of lung ultrasound (LUS) for cardiogenic pulmonary oedema and correlate findings with ACVIM consensus staging system. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jvim.14692/pdf Reassuringly they report that: B lines are rare or absent in @90% … Continue reading
Post-strangulation pulmonary oedema in a puppy
Strangulation is on the list of differentials for pulmonary oedema: post-obstructive pulmonary oedema (POPE). The pathophysiology is thought to involve negative intra-pulmonary presure resulting from strenous efforts to inhale against a closed airway. This puppy suffered an episode of accidental strangulation. Having survived the acute episode he then presented a few hours later with progressive … Continue reading
