ASN's Mission

To create a world without kidney diseases, the ASN Alliance for Kidney Health elevates care by educating and informing, driving breakthroughs and innovation, and advocating for policies that create transformative changes in kidney medicine throughout the world.

learn more

Contact ASN

1401 H St, NW, Ste 900, Washington, DC 20005

email@asn-online.org

202-640-4660

The Latest on X

Kidney Week

Please note that you are viewing an archived section from 2019 and some content may be unavailable. To unlock all content for 2019, please visit the archives.

Abstract: TH-PO195

Unilateral Pulmonary Edema in Dialysis Patients

Session Information

Category: Dialysis

  • 701 Dialysis: Hemodialysis and Frequent Dialysis

Authors

  • Varma, Prem P., Venkateshwar Hospital, Delhi, Delhi, India
  • Bajpai, Geet, Venkateshwar Hospital, Delhi, Delhi, India
  • Varma, Elly, Banner University Medical Center, University of Arizona, Tucson, Tucson, Arizona, United States
Introduction

Unilateral pulmonary edema (UPE) usually affects right upper lobe & is seen in less than 2% cases of cardiac failure.Severe mitral regurgitation (MR) is the commonest underlying cause.We report 4 cases of UPE in Hemo dialysis (HD) patients which resolved following dialysis.

Case Description

Four cases of Diabetic Nephropathy on MHD, presented with breathlessness.There was no preceding H/O chest pain/fever/hemoptysis.ECHO showed moderate MR in 2,mild & severe MR in one each.All had hypoalbuminemia (2.8-3.6 gm/dl).In view of Unilateral opacities on chest X-ray (Fig 1-4),patients were started on broad spectrum antibiotics.Following dialysis surprisingly there was clearance of opactites in all of them.(Fig 5-8 )

Discussion

UPE is a rare manifestation of cardiogenic pulmonary edema.Severe MR associated regurgitant blood in right pulmonary vein, poor lymphatic drainage of the right lung & hypoalbuminemia are the main contributing factors.

Our cases show that UPE can affect any zone of right lung..We feel that, in fluid overloaded dialysis patients even mild/moderate MR is enough to cause UPE of any zone.High index of suspicion for UPE and impressive clinical response following dialysis warrants repeat chest skiagram. Clearance on X-ray gives diagnosis avoids antibiotic therapy.

FIG 1-4 (X-ray at presentation of 4 cases)

FIG 5-8 (Post dialysis X-rays)