Year: 2025
Type: article
Study design: Case Report
Abstract: A 61-year-old male was brought to the Emergency Department with severe shortness of breath, a throbbing headache, sweating, nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea after the administration of an acetazolamide tablet (250 mg) at a private ophthalmology clinic. On presentation, a chest X-ray was performed, showing diffuse alveolar opacities bilaterally, indicating pulmonary oedema, as seen in CT chest also. However, his echocardiogram revealed a normal ejection fraction with no signs of ischemia. He was subsequently diagnosed with non-cardiogenic pulmonary oedema (NCPE) and was immediately started on high-flow oxygen, later requiring mechanical ventilation. The patient was admitted to the Critical Care Unit with supportive treatment, including IV fluids and antibiotics, without steroid administration. Four days later, he was extubated and subsequently discharged from the ICU, followed by discharge from the hospital. Our case revolves around a rare yet potentially fatal episode of NCPE secondary to Acetazolamide use.
Source: Respirology Case Reports
DOI: 10.1002/rcr2.70118
Authors: Naser Naser, Salma Shehabi, Khaled Maki
Institution: Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland - Bahrain
Language: English
Subfield: Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $1,130
OpenAlex ID: W4407381029