| pubmed-article:7148522 | pubmed:abstractText | Five cases of neurogenic pulmonary oedema (NPE) are described. The causes were mechanical trauma to the skull, subarachnoid haemorrhage and epileptic seizure. In every case a frank pulmonary oedema was diagnosed that resolved within a few days. Treatment of the underlying disease resulted in a favourable outcome. The literature has been reviewed. The basic mechanism seems to be an increased intracranial pressure (ICP) precipitating an increased central sympathetic nerve activity mediated via peripheral alpha- or beta-adrenergic discharge. NPE results from a predominant alpha-receptor stimulation with massive increase in pre- and afterload. The major therapeutic efforts should be directed towards the underlying cause and, in addition, mechanical ventilation with passive hyperventilation is vital. High positive end-expiratory pressure should not be used without strict monitoring of ICP. | lld:pubmed |
