Abstract
Morphine has been one of the cornerstones of the emergency pharmacological management of acute cardiogenic pulmonary oedema (CPE). However, there is only minimal evidence-based support for this strategy and some studies suggest that its amininistration might be associated with increased risk of need of mechanical ventilation and with higher mortality.
Thus, we decided to evaluate the current knowledge on the use of morphine in the teatment of CPE, and assess the pros and cons of its use in the emergency clinical setting. At presetn there is no reliable evidence either supporting or rejecting the use of morphine in CPE.
Therefore we conclude that morphine should not be used in this indication routinely, but after careful individual consideration only.