Clinical features

Possible early symptoms:

• shortness of breath - principle symptom
• exercise dyspnoea
• tachypnoea
• cough
• orthopnoea
• paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnoea

Later symptoms include:

• a cough with foaming, bright red sputum
• cyanosis
• extreme dyspnoea

On examination:

• breathing may be laboured and wheezing or rapid and panting. There may be a fine rattling sound audible
• Cheyne stokes respiration may be present in severe cases
• jugular venous pressure is usually elevated
• basal crepitations on auscultation may be heard
• heart sounds - triple or gallop rhythm
• a pleural effusion may also be present - in patients with chronic heart failure

Reference

1. Purvey M, Allen G. Managing acute pulmonary oedema. Aust Prescr. 2017 Apr;40(2):59-63