Non-Cardiogenic Pulmonary Oedema Provoked by Acetazolamide

Area of Science:

• Medical Case Report
• Pulmonary Medicine
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Acetazolamide is a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor used for various medical conditions.
• Adverse drug reactions can manifest in diverse and unexpected ways.
• Non-cardiogenic pulmonary edema (NCPE) presents as fluid accumulation in the lungs not due to heart failure.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report a rare case of non-cardiogenic pulmonary edema (NCPE) following acetazolamide administration.
• To highlight the potential for severe adverse reactions to acetazolamide.
• To emphasize the importance of considering drug-induced NCPE in differential diagnoses.

Main Methods:

• Case presentation of a 61-year-old male patient.
• Clinical assessment including chest X-ray and CT scan.
• Echocardiography to rule out cardiac causes of pulmonary edema.
• Supportive treatment in the Critical Care Unit.

Main Results:

• The patient developed severe shortness of breath, headache, and gastrointestinal symptoms post-acetazolamide.
• Imaging revealed diffuse alveolar opacities indicative of pulmonary edema.
• Echocardiogram excluded cardiac ischemia as a cause.
• Diagnosis of non-cardiogenic pulmonary edema (NCPE) secondary to acetazolamide was established.

Conclusions:

• Acetazolamide can induce non-cardiogenic pulmonary edema (NCPE).
• Early recognition and supportive care are crucial for managing drug-induced NCPE.
• This case underscores the need for vigilance regarding acetazolamide's potential adverse effects.