[The pathogenesis of pulmonary edema after being buried by an avalanche]

A case of pulmonary edema in a rescued avalanche victim is described. The pathogenesis of this complication involves respiratory and hemodynamic factors which are responsible for the development of a hydrostatic pressure gradient between capillaries and alveoli. The resulting transsudation requires some time after the victim has been buried and probably the appearance of pulmonary edema directly precedes death. This might be one of the reasons why pulmonary edema has rarely been observed. However, such an event can, theoretically, be considered part of the pathophysiological processes in buried avalanche victims. In addition to the usual emergency treatment, therapy should, in the light of this theoretical consideration, also be directed towards normalization of the pressure relationship. This can be accomplished by decreasing the pressure in the lung capillaries and increasing the pressure in the alveoli.