Care of the arthroscopy patient with noncardiogenic pulmonary edema

A young athlete is unexpectedly admitted to an orthopaedic unit after routine arthroscopic knee surgery with the following diagnosis: noncardiogenic pulmonary edema related to postextubation laryngospasm. This emergent condition, which may be life-threatening due to rapid changes in intrathoracic, alveolar, and interstitial pressures, requires immediate, aggressive treatment. With proper intervention, laryngospasm-induced noncardiogenic pulmonary edema becomes a self-limiting process, and full recovery may occur within 48 hours of the initial insult to the lungs. This article presents a case study of a patient with this condition, including the initial and subsequent interventions that were provided. The pathophysiologic responses and clinical manifestations of laryngospasm and noncardiogenic pulmonary edema are addressed, followed by a suggested course of treatment.