What is a common complication of untreated Pulmonary Edema?

In untreated pulmonary edema, one of the most significant complications is respiratory failure. Pulmonary edema occurs when fluid accumulates in the air sacs of the lungs, leading to impaired gas exchange. This accumulation of fluid can result from various conditions, such as heart failure, and can severely reduce the oxygen levels in the blood.

As the condition progresses, the fluid buildup hampers the lungs' ability to expand and contract effectively, causing the individual to experience difficulty breathing. If the underlying cause is not addressed, the hypoxemia (low oxygen levels in the blood) can worsen, leading to respiratory failure. This state can manifest as both hypoxemic respiratory failure, where there is a significant drop in oxygen saturation, and hypercapnic respiratory failure, where carbon dioxide levels become elevated due to ineffective ventilation. Managing pulmonary edema promptly is essential to prevent the significant risk of respiratory failure, which can be life-threatening and may require mechanical ventilation support.

The other options, while they can be related to complications of various lung conditions, are not as directly tied to untreated pulmonary edema as respiratory failure is. Infection can occur in various contexts but is not a guaranteed complication of pulmonary edema itself. Atelectasis, which is the collapse of lung tissue, may occur due to poor