Hypoxemia and lung water in acute myocardial infarction

Pulmonary extravascular volume or lung water (PEV), arterial blood gases, and cardiac hemodynamics were measured in 88 patients with acute myocardial infarction. A progressive increase in PEV and a decrease in arterial oxygen tension (Pa_O2 ) were observed from Class I (uncomplicated) patients to Class III (frank pulmonary edema) patients. Heart rate and pulmonary wedge pressure (Pw) rose and cardiac index declined with increasing severity of heart failure by clinical classification. There was a significant correlation between PEV and Pw independent of clinical class (r=0.47, p<0.01). Pa_O2 had a negative correlation with Pw (r=-0.28, p<0.01) as well as PEV (r=-0.26, p<0.02). We conclude therefore that increased pulmonary hydrostatic pressure secondary to pulmonary venous hypertension in patients with acute myocardial infarction is a major determinant of interstitial edema. At higher values of PEV, Pa_O2 was lower. The mechanism of hypoxemia in the presence of excessive lung water may be due to multiple factors, including small airway dysfunction and intrapulmonary shunting.