Ιdiosyncratic Non-Cardiogenic Pulmonary Edema Following Acetazolamide Administration: A Case Report and…

Case reportReports (MDPI)· Mar 2026

Ιdiosyncratic Non-Cardiogenic Pulmonary Edema Following Acetazolamide Administration: A Case Report and Review of Pathogenic Mechanisms.

Athanasia-Marina Peristeri, Fotini Ampatzidou, Ioanna-Maria Mouskeftara … Athina Lavrentieva

Surgical Critical CareCase reportClinical practice

Acetazolamide-induced non-cardiogenic pulmonary edema carries about 19% mortality

Ιdiosyncratic Non-Cardiogenic Pulmonary Edema Following Acetazolamide Administration: A Case Report and Review of Pathogenic Mechanisms.

Athanasia-Marina Peristeri … Athina Lavrentieva

Reports (MDPI) · Mar 2026

Background

Acetazolamide is routinely used post-cataract surgery to prevent intraocular pressure (IOP) spikes.

Results

19.4%

roughly 1 in 5 reported cases were fatal

More results

Rare non-cardiogenic pulmonary edema (non-cardiogenic pulmonary edema) cases highlight its risks in elderly comorbid patients.

Case Presentation: A 74-year-old male with chronic kidney disease, atrial fibrillation, and aortic aneurysm repair received 250 mg oral acetazolamide post-cataract extraction.

More results

Within 30 min, severe hypoxemia with SpO 2 (peripheral oxygen saturation) of 77%, accompanied by tachypnea and hypertension, necessitated endotracheal intubation.

On day 4, ventilator-associated pneumonia (ventilator-associated pneumonia) due to Acinetobacter baumannii resolved with targeted antibiotic therapy.

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Conclusion · 1 of 2

Rapid-onset non-cardiogenic pulmonary edema from acetazolamide involves endothelial injury, distinct from cardiogenic pulmonary edema.

Conclusion · 2 of 2

Early recognition, drug cessation, and admission to the intensive care unit (Intensive Care Unit) are vital components of therapeutic intervention. Risk stratification and pharmacovigilance are recommended for perioperative safety.