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Updated: Aug 14, 2026
07:22
Quantifying Single Microvessel Permeability in Isolated Blood-perfused Rat Lung Preparation
Published on: June 30, 2014
Evidence for increased permeability in reexpansion pulmonary edema
The American Journal of Medicine
|September 1, 1981
Summary
Reexpansion pulmonary edema is caused by increased pulmonary capillary permeability, not hemodynamic changes. Colloid osmotic pressure of edema fluid was significantly lower than serum in two patients.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonary Medicine
- Critical Care Medicine
- Pathophysiology
Background:
- Reexpansion pulmonary edema (RPE) is a rare but serious complication following pleural fluid or pneumothorax drainage.
- The exact pathophysiological mechanism of RPE remains debated, with both hydrostatic and permeability-based theories proposed.
Observation:
- Concurrent measurements of colloid osmotic pressure (COP) in serum and pulmonary edema fluid were conducted in two RPE patients.
- Pulmonary artery wedge pressure (PAWP) was monitored during the edema phase in one patient.
Findings:
- The COP of pulmonary edema fluid was found to be 73% and 81% of the corresponding serum COP.
- The PAWP in the monitored patient was within the normal range (8 mm Hg).
Implications:
- These findings suggest that RPE is primarily driven by increased pulmonary capillary permeability.
- The data challenge purely hemodynamic explanations for RPE, highlighting a crucial role for endothelial barrier dysfunction.
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