Methods for Qualitative and Quantitative Assessment of Extravascular Lung Water–Clinical Application, Advantages, and Disadvantages

Gergana  Petkova – Ivanova; Ivanka Karavelikova; Stanislav Karamitev

doi:10.18502/aacc.v12i1.20543

Gergana Petkova – Ivanova Department of Anesthesiology, Emergency and Intensive Care Medicine, Medical University of Plovdiv, Bulgaria.
Ivanka Karavelikova Department of Paediatrics and Medical Genetics “Prof. Dr.Ivan Andreev”, Medical Faculty, Medical University of Plovdiv, Bulgaria.
Stanislav Karamitev Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Medical University of Plovdiv, Bulgaria.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/aacc.v12i1.20543

Keywords: Acute respiritory distress syndrome; Extravascular lung water; Imaging methods; Thermodilutional technique

Abstract

Background: Lung edema is a life-threatening condition associated with prolonged intensive care unit stay and high mortality. The increased extravascular lung water (EVLW) causes impaired lung compliance and refractory hypoxemia. Although there are promising methods for the detection of EVLW, there is not yet a universally accepted one, and a systematic approach to the problem is missing. The discussion in this article is on the potential of the described assessment methods and techniques and reveals the strong and weak points according to their practical application.

Methods: The discussion in this article is on the potential of the described assessment methods and techniques. According to our comparative analysis, the strong and weak points regarding their practical application are presented in a table.

Results: This review article summerizes advantages and disadvantages of the most common methods in clinical practice.

Conclusion: Although there are promising methods for the detection of EVLW, there is not yet a universally accepted one, and a systematic approach to the problem is yet to be found