Cardiovascular Diseases & Diagnosis

Pulmonary Edema: A Unifying Pathophysiological Formula

Abstract

Vladimir Tilman

Pulmonary edema is a significant complication of a number of disease and conditions. Its main manifestation is the leakage of fluid from the pulmonary capillaries into the cavity of the alveoli through the alveolar-capillary membrane. This leads to a number of severe clinical manifestations and requires immediate treatment. The underlying mechanisms causing this complication include cardiogenic and noncardiogenic factors. A formula is proposed to attempt to unify the causes of pulmonary edema, reflecting the relationship of all factors involved in the process. The formula is simple and evident, and covers all the factors that cause or contribute to the development of pulmonary edema. It also explains the pathogenesis of cardiogenic and noncardiogenic pulmonary edema and their relationship.