TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2024//
TI  - Swimming-induced pulmonary edema masquerading as acute respiratory distress syndrome: a case report
JO  - Curēus
A1  - Pokhrel, Madalasa
A1  - Sharma, Nava R.
A1  - Lamichhane, Saral
A1  - Bogojevic, Marija
A1  - Durodola, Bolaji
A1  - Gillen, Adele
A1  - Vicioso Mora, Yorleny
A1  - Kc, Prabal
A1  - Naaraayan, Ashutossh
SP  - ePub
EP  - ePub
VL  - ePub
IS  - ePub
N2  - Immersion pulmonary edema, also known as swimming-induced pulmonary edema (SIPE), manifests with cough, dyspnea, hemoptysis, and hypoxemia from flash pulmonary edema after surface swimming, often in healthy young individuals with no predisposing conditions. SIPE commonly resolves spontaneously within 24-48 hours but can be fatal. Post-mortem findings demonstrate heavy, edematous lungs and frothy airways. Although these pathologic findings are like those seen in patients with drowning, SIPE, by definition, is associated with pulmonary edema that develops with a closed glottis without drowning/aspiration. However, patients who develop SIPE during swimming could lose consciousness and drown. Its pathophysiology is poorly understood, and the medical literature infrequently describes SIPE. Due to the multifactorial and complex pathophysiology and the scarcity of medical literature describing SIPE, the diagnosis could be difficult at presentation. This case report elaborates on diagnosing and treating swimming-induced pulmonary edema in a hypertensive and obese female who presented to our emergency room with an acute onset of shortness of breath after recreational swimming in a pool.<p />  <p>Language: en</p>
LA  - en
SN  - 2168-8184
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.7759/cureus.59392
ID  - ref1
ER  -