Which breath sounds are indicative of pulmonary congestion and do not clear with a cough?

Crackles, also known as rales, are the breath sounds that are indicative of pulmonary congestion and are characterized by their non-clearable nature with a cough. These sounds are often heard upon auscultation and can be described as high-pitched popping or bubbling noises. They are caused by the opening of small airways and alveoli that have been filled with fluid or are collapsing due to the effects of heart failure.

In the context of heart failure, pulmonary congestion occurs when fluid accumulates in the lungs, leading to impaired gas exchange and the development of these abnormal lung sounds. Since crackles are typically associated with lung pathology related to fluid overload, they often do not dissipate or improve with coughing, differentiating them from other sounds that might clear with that action.

Wheezes, rattles, and stridor are associated with other respiratory conditions. Wheezes are usually indicative of narrowing airways and are often heard in conditions like asthma or bronchospasm. Rattles, while not a standard medical term, may refer to various lung sounds but do not specifically indicate pulmonary congestion. Stridor is a high-pitched sound resulting from upper airway obstruction and is not related to pulmonary congestion. Thus, crackles are the specific