Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Practice Test

What causes cardiogenic pulmonary edema?

1. Right-sided heart failure

2. Infections in the lungs

3. Increased blood flow in the pulmonary capillaries

4. Left-sided heart failure

The correct answer is: Left-sided heart failure

Cardiogenic pulmonary edema is primarily caused by left-sided heart failure. In this condition, the left ventricle loses its ability to effectively pump blood out to the systemic circulation. Consequently, blood begins to back up into the pulmonary circulation, leading to increased pressure in the pulmonary capillaries. This elevated pressure forces fluid from the capillaries into the alveoli of the lungs, resulting in pulmonary edema. Understanding this pathophysiology is crucial for EMTs because it highlights the systemic effects of heart failure and the critical need for rapid assessment and intervention in patients exhibiting signs of respiratory distress, which may be due to this condition. The focus is on the left side of the heart because right-sided heart failure typically leads to systemic congestion rather than pulmonary congestion.