Re-expansion pulmonary edema after pleurocan catheterization: a case report

Abstract

Re-expansion pulmonary edema (RPE) is a rare but potentially hazardous complication following evacuation of the pleural region. Symptomatic RPE occurs in less than 1% of patients after pleural drainage. Early diagnosis and treatment determines the progression of the disease and it is life-saving. The present case describes a 68-year-old man who developed RPE with the ipsilateral collapsed lung 6 hours after pleural drainage of a non-malignant effusion. He was intubated and 6 hours after aggressive treatment with mechanical ventilation support oxygenation was improved and the patient's blood gas analysis recovered. Over the course of his 12-day hospitalization, he was extubated and oxygen support was slowly weaned down. Mortality rate of RPE in severe cases is approximately 20%, therefore preventive interventions gain importance. In spite of the rare incidence of RPE, being aware of this potential condition can allow for early and proper management. 

Keywords

• Re-expansion pulmonary edema,pleural catheter,intensive care

References

1. [1] Dias OM, Teixeira LR, Vargas FS. Reexpansion pulmonary edema after therapeutic thoracentesis. Clinics 2010;65:1387-9.
2. [2] Kim JJ, Kim YH, Choi SY, Jeong SC, Moon SW. Contralateral reexpansion pulmonary edema with ipsilateral collapsed lung after pleural effusion drainage: a case report. J Cardiothorac Surg 2015;10:68.
3. [3] Verhagen M, van Buijtenen JM, Geeraedts LMG. Reexpansion pulmonary edema after chest drainage for pneumothorax: A case report and literature overview. Respir Med Case Rep 2015;14:10-12.
4. [4] Kasmani R, Irani F, Okoli K, Mahajan V. Re-expansion pulmonary edema following thoracentesis. CMAJ 2010;182:2000-2.
5. [5] de Wolf SP, Deunk J, Cornet AD, Elbers PW. Case Report: Bilateral reexpansion pulmonary edema following treatment of a unilateral hemothorax. Research 2014:3:318.
6. [6] Corcoran JP, Psallidas I, Wrightson JM, Hallifax RJ, Rahman NM. Pleural procedural complications: prevention and management. J Thorac Dis 2015;7:1058-67.
7. [7] Özsin KK, Toktaş F, Sanrı US, Kahraman N, Yavuz Ş. Re-expansion pulmonary edema caused by pleural effusion drainage in late period after coronary artery bypass surgery: case report. Turkiye Klinikleri Arch Lung 2017;18:25-8.