Valvular Heart Disease Presenting as Sympathetic Crashing Acute Pulmonary Edema (SCAPE) Phenomenon: A Diagnostic and Management Paradigm

Abstract

Sympathetic crashing acute pulmonary edema (SCAPE) is an acute decompensated heart failure due to sympathetic overflow. SCAPE is usually triggered by acute insults with an underlying substrate such as longstanding hypertension, chronic heart failure, and valvular heart disease. We present a case of SCAPE in a 91year-old female due to underlying multivalvular heart disease. Because of severe acute presentation, SCAPE should be identified early, and management should be urgently done to decrease the need for invasive ventilation and prolonged hospitalization.