[Low-capillary-pressure pulmonary edema occurring in the acute phase of myocardial infarction]

A 44-year old man presented a postanoxic coma and acute pulmonary oedema after cardiopulmonary resuscitation in the acute phase of myocardial infarction. Early haemodynamic measurements revealed low right and left ventricular filling pressures and a low cardiac output. Haemodynamic and clinical improvement was obtained after volume expansion. The cause of low-pressure pulmonary oedema occasionally seen in patients with acute myocardial infarction is sometimes unclear. In the present case, a neurogenic mechanism may be involved. The early diagnosis of this oedema has important therapeutic implications.