Postpneumonectomy pulmonary edema: can it be predicted preoperatively?

Postpneumonectomy pulmonary edema (PPE) is a rarely reported form of acute lung injury which occurs in up to 4% of all pneumonectomies. The details of two well-documented cases of PPE are described with special emphasis paid to the preoperative lung functions. Both cases illustrated a striking disparity between preserved spirometric lung function and advanced emphysema as detected by quantitative CT emphysema scores and single-breath diffusion of carbon monoxide measurements. Though retrospective in nature, these results suggest a restricted capillary volume plays a critical role in the development of PPE.