Which two medications are first-line therapies for managing acute pulmonary edema?

In the management of acute pulmonary edema, diuretics and nitrates are indeed considered first-line therapies.

Diuretics, such as furosemide (Lasix), are crucial in this context because they help to reduce fluid overload by promoting renal excretion of water and electrolytes. This action helps to decrease the volume of fluid in the lungs, alleviating symptoms of dyspnea and improving oxygenation.

Nitrates, such as nitroglycerin, are also beneficial as they cause vasodilation, which reduces the preload and afterload on the heart. This effect lowers the pressure in the pulmonary circulation, thereby reducing pulmonary congestion and improving cardiac output. The combination of diuretics and nitrates addresses both the fluid overload and the myocardial workload, making them effective in the acute setting.

Other choices, while they have their roles in cardiovascular care, do not address the immediate needs associated with acute pulmonary edema in the same way. For example, beta-blockers and aspirin are more suited for other conditions like myocardial infarctions or heart rhythm issues. ACE inhibitors can be more beneficial in chronic heart failure management, while anticoagulants and statins are typically used for preventing clot formation and lowering cholesterol, respectively, not specifically for managing