Key result
Diuretics and oxygen rapidly resolve cold-water scuba-induced immersion pulmonary edema.
Why the study?
Immersion pulmonary edema is a rare, potentially life-threatening condition in divers with incompletely understood pathophysiology.
Case Report (n=1)
Immersion pulmonary edema is a rare but potentially life-threatening condition that can occur during scuba diving and responds rapidly to diuretics and oxygen.
Rapid resolution suggests effective acute care; single case leaves open prevention and incidence data in scuba divers.
Immersion pulmonary edema (IPE) is a form of pulmonary edema that can occur in divers or swimmers. IPE is a rare condition, but can be life-threatening and recurrent condition. The pathophysiology of IPE is still incompletely understood. We present a case of scuba diving induced pulmonary edema in a 46-year-old woman diving in cold seawater. After 20 minutes of diving at 18 m, she felt difficulty of breathing. Symptoms on surfacing were dyspnea, cough, and frothy sputum. Chest X-ray showed pulmonary edema and she was treated with an intravenous diuretic and supplemental oxygen. The patient showed rapid resolution of symptoms and was discharged on the same day. Sport physician should be aware of this potentially life-threatening recurrent condition.
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Kang et al. (2017) conducted a case report in Immersion pulmonary edema (n=1). Scuba diving in cold seawater was evaluated on Development and resolution of pulmonary edema. A 46-year-old woman developed immersion pulmonary edema after 20 minutes of scuba diving in cold seawater, which rapidly resolved with intravenous diuretics and supplemental oxygen.
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