An early presentation of neurogenic pulmonary edema in acute subarachnoid hemorrhage

Abstract

Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is a common occurrence among patients with altered mental status who arrive at the emergency department (ED), particularly for emergency physicians. However, the combination of neurogenic pulmonary edema (NPE) followed by SAH is generally considered a rare condition in the ED setting. Chest radiographs in these patients often reveal lung infiltrations, which are frequently misinterpreted by many emergency physicians as resulting from chest compression during cardiopulmonary resuscitation or aspiration due to altered mental status. This case report highlights a patient with SAH who developed NPE, with the aim to raise awareness among emergency department physicians about NPE and provide comprehensive insights regarding its management, as well as clinical, prognostic and diagnostic information.