In pulmonary edema (thesaurus synonyms: acute pulmonary congestion; acute pulmonary edema; chronic pulmonary edema; hypostatic pulmonary congestion; interstitial pulmonary edema; pulmonary hypostasis; passive pulmonary hyperemia; passive pulmonary congestion; passive pulmonary hyperemia; passive pulmonary hypostasis; prelung edema; pulmonary hypostasis; pulmonary stasis; pulmonary congestion; recurrent pulmonary edema; terminal pulmonary edema; ICD-10-GM J81: Pulmonary edema) is edema (accumulation of water) in the lungs.
In pulmonary edema, one can distinguish a cardiac (affecting the heart) cause from noncardiac causes. Furthermore, interstitial pulmonary edema can be distinguished from intraalveolar pulmonary edema.
Course and prognosis: The main focus is on therapy of the causative disease. The success of the therapy as well as the severity of this disease determine the further course and prognosis. It is important that if shock is present, it is identified early. If the cause of the pulmonary edema can be eliminated, the edema will resolve without leaving permanent damage.
