What are the two types of pulmonary edema?

What are the two types of pulmonary edema?

• A. Hydrostatic (cardiogenic) and vascular permeability (noncardiogenic)
• B. Obstructive and restrictive
• C. Lymphedema and edema
• D. Hypervolemic and hypovolemic edema

Answer: (A)

Pulmonary edema falls into two main categories based on how fluid accumulates in the lungs. In hydrostatic (cardiogenic) edema, increased pressure in the left side of the heart raises the hydrostatic pressure in pulmonary capillaries, pushing fluid into the interstitium and then into the alveoli. This is common with left‑sided heart failure, severe hypertension, or volume overload. In vascular permeability (noncardiogenic) edema, the capillary walls become more permeable due to inflammation or injury, so protein‑rich fluid leaks into the interstitial space and alveoli despite normal left‑sided pressures. This happens with conditions like ARDS, sepsis, pneumonia, toxic inhalation, or pancreatitis. So the two types are cardiogenic (hydrostatic) and noncardiogenic (increased permeability). The other options describe different lung or fluid–balance concepts that don’t define the two primary etiologies of pulmonary edema.

Pulmonary edema falls into two main categories based on how fluid accumulates in the lungs. In hydrostatic (cardiogenic) edema, increased pressure in the left side of the heart raises the hydrostatic pressure in pulmonary capillaries, pushing fluid into the interstitium and then into the alveoli. This is common with left‑sided heart failure, severe hypertension, or volume overload.

In vascular permeability (noncardiogenic) edema, the capillary walls become more permeable due to inflammation or injury, so protein‑rich fluid leaks into the interstitial space and alveoli despite normal left‑sided pressures. This happens with conditions like ARDS, sepsis, pneumonia, toxic inhalation, or pancreatitis.

So the two types are cardiogenic (hydrostatic) and noncardiogenic (increased permeability). The other options describe different lung or fluid–balance concepts that don’t define the two primary etiologies of pulmonary edema.