Causes of Pulmonary Edema in Renal Failure

Pulmonary edema is a common symptom of Renal Failure. For people with server pulmonary edema, they may suffer from difficulty in breath, cough and even can not lie down. So, why people with Renal Failure have pulmonary edema?

1. High blood pressure and severe anemia

High blood pressure can cause much burden to heart. If uncontrolled, high blood pressure is very likely to cause acute pulmonary edema.

Anemia in Renal Failure is attributable to reduced production of EPO and iron insufficiency and the blood loss. Long-term anemia can cause myocardial ischemia thus causing pulmonary edema.

2. Low protein level in blood

Low protein level in blood for people with Renal Failure( Immunotherapy for Renal Failure in China) is induced by malnutrition, inadequate dialysis, low protein supply and amino acid loss during dialysis. Low protein level in blood can cause the plasma osmotic pressure to reduce thus resulting in pulmonary edema.

3. Excess fluid in body

People with Renal Failure usually have excess fluid in body due to excess intakes of fluid and sodium. In advanced stage of Renal Failure, many people may suffer from oliguria and even anuria. At the intervals of dialysis, if they have too much fluid intake or have inadequate dialysis, it will cause fluid retention thus resulting in acute pulmonary edema.

4. Uremic toxins in body

If the patients with Renal Failure do not have adequate dialysis, a mass of uremic toxins will build up in body, which can elevate the permeability of pulmonary capillaries. As a result, the wedge pressure of the pulmonary capillaries rises thus resulting in pulmonary edema.

5. Arteriovenous fistula

If the arteriovenous fistula is too big, it will cause excess blood flow thus putting much burden on heart. Hence, the patients with Renal Failure are very likely to develop pulmonary edema.


To avoid pulmonary edema, the patients with Renal Failure should take relevant measure according to the above causes including controlling body weight and high blood pressure, correcting anemia, avoid hemolysis, correct hypoproteinemia etc.