IPLab:Lab 4:Pulmonary Congestion and Edema

Clinical Summary

This 67-year-old male was hospitalized because of extensive atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Following surgery, during which diseased portions of the femoral arteries were bypassed, he developed massive pulmonary embolization and expired.

At autopsy, thrombi were found in the femoral and iliac veins, as well as in the larger pulmonary arteries.

Autopsy Findings

Significant findings at postmortem examination were old and recent myocardial infarctions and evidence of congestive heart failure. The right and left lungs weighed 950 grams and 750 grams, respectively, and were reddish-brown.

Images

This is a gross photograph of lungs that are distended and red. The reddish coloration of the tissue is due to congestion. Some normal pink lung tissue is seen at the edges of the lungs (arrows).
This is a gross photograph of lung demonstrating acute pulmonary congestion and edema. A frothy exudate fills the bronchus (arrow).
This gross photograph demonstrates the frothy exudate that is being extruded from the lung tissue.
This is a low-power photomicrograph of lung from this case. The lung section has a pale-red color indicating proteinaceous material within the lung.
This is a higher-power photomicrograph of lung. The edema fluid within the alveoli is visible at this higher magnification (arrows). The thickened pleura (1) is on the left.
This is a higher-power photomicrograph showing edema-filled alveoli in the right portion of this section (arrows).
This high-power photomicrograph illustrates the edema fluid within the alveoli (1) and the congestion (RBCs) in the alveolar capillaries (arrows).