Heroin-induced pulmonary edema

Heroin-induced pulmonary edema is an etiological subtype of non-cardiogenic pulmonary edema. It may be prevalent in up to 40% of patients admitted with a heroin overdose .

Clinical presentation

It is defined by some authors as a syndrome in which a patient develops significant hypoxia (oxygen saturation <90% on room air with a respiratory rate >12 breaths/min) within 24 hours of a clinically apparent heroin overdose. There is typically resolution within 48 hours .

Radiographic features

There is radiographic evidence of diffuse pulmonary infiltrates not attributable to other causes, such as cardiac dysfunction, pneumonia, pulmonary embolism, or bronchospasm. These features should resolve within 48 hours .

See also

• pulmonary edema
• radiological manifestations of recreational drug use

Siehe auch:

• Lungenödem