Abstract

Negative pressure pulmonary edema (NPPE) is a rare complication of acute airway obstruction which develops after endotracheal extubation. The proposed mechanism is generation of very low negative pressure during laryngospasm by inspiratory efforts, which leads to alveolar exudation and hemorrhage. The diagnosis of NPPE is confirmed by clinical findings of tachypnea, pink prothy sputum in the endotracheal tube, hypoxemia on arterial blood gas analysis, and distinctive radiologic findings. NPPE is usually self-limited within 48 hours when diagnosed early and treated appropriately. We report three patients who recovered from NPPE without complications.

• Keywords: airway obstruction;extubation;negative pressure;pulmonary edema;pulmonary hemorrhage;