Clinical Research Acute Arterial Hypertension in Acute Pulmonary Edema: Mostly a Trigger or an Associated Phenomenon?

Background: The role of acute arterial hypertension in acute pulmonary edema (APE) as an associated or triggering phenomenon has been poorly investigated and is relevant to patient management. Methods: This was a prospective observational study of clinical, electrocardiographic, and echocardiographic characteristics of patients with APE. Potential triggers, including acute coronary syndrome (ACS), rapid atrial fibrillation (AF) (� 120 bpm in AF), fever > 38 � C or volume overload, isolated acute hypertension (systolic blood pressure � 170 mm Hg), and unknown factors were investigated. Results: There were 742 patients, 578 with coronary artery disease (78%), 116 with valvular heart disease or cardiomyopathy (16%), and 47 without identifiable heart disease (6%). ACS was present in RESUME