B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) is available in many hospitals, sometimes even as a point-of-care test. Low levels of BNP (<100 pg/ml) suggest a cardiac cause is unlikely. Prevention
In those with underlying heart or lung disease, effective control of congestive and respiratory symptoms helps prevents pulmonary edema.Dexamethasone is in widespread use for the prevention of high altitude pulmonary edema. Sildenafil is used as a preventive treatment for altitude-induced pulmonary edema and pulmonary hypertension, the mechanism of action is via phosphodiesterase inhibition which raises cGMP, resulting in pulmonary arterial vasodilation and inhibition of smooth muscle cell proliferation and indirectly fluid formation in the lungs. While this effect has only recently been discovered, sildenafil is already becoming an accepted treatment for this condition, in particular in situations where the standard treatment of rapid descent (acclimatization) has been delayed for some reason. Management
The initial management of pulmonary edema, irrespective of the type or cause, is supporting vital functions while edema lasts. Therefore, if the level of consciousness is decreased it may be required to proceed to tracheal intubation and mechanical ventilation to prevent airway compromise. Hypoxia (abnormally low oxygen levels) may require supplementary oxygen to balance blood oxygen levels, but if this is insufficient then again mechanical ventilation may be required to prevent complications caused by hypoxia. Treatment of the underlying cause is the next priority; pulmonary edema secondary to infection, for instance, would require the administration of appropriate antibiotics or antivirals. Cardiogenic pulmonary edema
Acute cardiogenic pulmonary edema often responds rapidly to medical treatment. Positioning upright may relieve symptoms.
Pulmonary embolismAcute lung injury may also cause pulmonary edema directly through injury to the vasculature and parenchyma of the lung. It includes acute lung injury and acute respiratory distress syndrome. (ALI-ARDS) cover many of these causes, but they may also include:

Inhalation of hot or toxic gases
Pulmonary contusion, i.e., high-energy trauma (e.g. vehicle accidents)
Aspiration, e.g., gastric fluid
Reexpansion, i.e. post large volume thoracocentesis, resolution of pneumothorax, post decortication, removal of endobronchial obstruction, effectively a form of negative pressure pulmonary oedema. Reperfusion injury, i.e., postpulmonary thromboendartectomy or lung transplantation
Swimming induced pulmonary edema also known as immersion pulmonary edema
Transfusion Associated Circulatory Overload occurs when multiple blood transfusions or blood-products (plasma, platelets, etc.) are transfused over a short period of time. Transfusion associated Acute Lung Injury is a specific type of blood-product transfusion injury that occurs when the donors plasma contained antibodies against the recipient, such as anti-HLA or anti-neutrophil antibodies. Severe infection or inflammation which may be local or systemic. This is the classical form of acute lung injury-adult respiratory distress syndrome.Some causes of pulmonary edema are less well characterised and arguably represent specific instances of the broader classifications above. Arteriovenous malformation
Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome
High altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE)
Envenomation, such as with the venom of Atrax robustus

Signs and symptoms
The most common symptom of pulmonary edema is difficulty breathing (dyspnea), but may include other symptoms such as coughing up blood (classically seen as pink or red, frothy sputum), excessive sweating, anxiety, and pale skin.