The American review of respiratory disease
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Evidence suggests the following pathogenesis for neurogenic pulmonary edema. The initial phase results from a centrally mediated, massive, sympathetic discharge. ⋯ In addition, pulmonary hypertension and hypervolemia injure pulmonary blood vessels, altering pulmonary capillary permeability and producing lung hemorrhage. After the transient systemic and pulmonary vascular hypertension subside, the patient is left with abnormal pulmonary capillary permeability, so that pulmonary edema persists in the face of normal hemodynamics and normal cardia function.