High permeability pulmonary oedema: pathophysiology and mechanisms of injury

Many critically ill patients are at risk for developing HPPE. Since 60% of patients develop HPPE within 24 hours of the pulmonary insult with 11% developing respiratory failure within 72 hours, it is imperative that the critical care nurse understand the pathophysiological responses (Bernard & Bradley, 1986). While the pathophysiological responses are specific, injury to the alveolar-capillary membrane, the mechanisms of injury are diffuse. Knowing the mechanisms can alert health care providers to those patients who are at risk for developing HPPE and more quickly mobilize interventions to alleviate or lessen its occurrence.