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A Change of Position for Neurogenic Pulmonary Edema

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Abstract

Introduction

Stroke is the third most common cause of death in the Western World and is a condition seen by Neurologists, General Physicians and Primary Care Physicians. Neurogenic pulmonary edema can complicate the management of large strokes and cerebral hemorrhage. While the principles of management of this type of pulmonary edema are similar to the more common cardiogenic pulmonary edema, placing a patient in the prone position may be a helpful maneuver facilitating recovery.

Methods

We describe a case of basilar thrombosis treated with intra-arterial thrombolysis where prone ventilation was employed to treat neurogenic cardio-pulmonary complications.

Results

This resulted in rapid resolution of neurogenic pulmonary edema and patient recovery after recanulation of the basilar artery by intra-arterial urokinase.

Conclusion

This technique of prone positioning for ventilation is of importance to physicians who manage stroke and its complications.

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Acknowledgment

We would like to thank INOVA Fairfax Hospital of Fairfax, Virginia and especially Dr. C Putman for assistance with this report.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neurosciences Critical Care, The Johns Hopkins Hospital, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA

    Scott A. Marshall & Paul Nyquist

  2. Department of Neurology, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, USA

    Scott A. Marshall

  3. Department of Cerebrovascular Neurology, The Johns Hopkins Hospital, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA

    Paul Nyquist

Authors
  1. Scott A. Marshall
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  2. Paul Nyquist
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Scott A. Marshall.

Additional information

The opinions expressed in this study belong solely to those of the authors. They do not and should not be interpreted as being representative or endorsed by the Uniformed Services University, U.S. Army, Department of Defense, or any other agency of the federal government of the United States.

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Marshall, S.A., Nyquist, P. A Change of Position for Neurogenic Pulmonary Edema. Neurocrit Care 10, 213–217 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12028-008-9164-x

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