Final answer:
Pulmonary edema is a serious medical condition where fluid leaks and accumulates in the alveoli due to increased hydrostatic pressure, often caused by heart failure. This condition inhibits gas exchange within the lungs and can be life-threatening, requiring immediate medical attention.
Step-by-step explanation:
Pulmonary edema occurs when excess fluid collects in the air sacs of the lungs, which is a common complication of heart and/or kidney failure. When the left ventricle of the heart cannot pump blood effectively into the systemic circulation, blood pressure builds up in the pulmonary circulation. This starts with the left atrium, moves into the pulmonary veins, and then into the pulmonary capillaries. The increased hydrostatic pressure within the pulmonary capillaries causes fluid to be pushed through their walls and accumulate in the lung tissues, compromising gas exchange and leading to a life-threatening condition.
Factors contributing to pulmonary edema include disorders of the cardiovascular system like heart failure where there is increased venous pressure leading to edema, as well as decreases in colloid osmotic pressure due to lower levels of plasma proteins. Conditions such as liver disease can exacerbate the problem by reducing the production of plasma proteins, further decreasing osmotic pressure and promoting fluid leakage.