[Pulmonary edema caused by heroin. Hemodynamic study of 2 cases]

The authors report two cases of heroin induced pulmonary edema. In both cases the severity of respiratory failure, attested by a deep hypoxemia (paO2 28 and 32 mmHg) and a metabolic and respiratory acidosis (pH 7.07 and 7.14) imposed an artificial ventilation with positive end expiratory pressure (PEEP). Hemodynamic study revealed a noncardiogenic edema. In both cases, a cardiac insufficiency was also present : in the first case it's etiology remained unclear, in the second it was a complication of hyperkalemia.