Naloxone administration and laryngospasm followed by pulmonary edema

A 50-year-old woman underwent laryngoscopy. Postoperatively she received naloxone and was extubated. She developed severe laryngospasm and one hour later pulmonary edema. Both naloxone administration and laryngospasm can provoke pulmonary edema; the pathophysiology is discussed. It is suggested that naloxone is administered with care to patients who in the preceding hours have had severe laryngospasm.