Abstract
Swimming-induced pulmonary edema (SIPE) may develop during strenuous physical exertion in water. This case series reports on three cases of suspected late-presenting SIPE during the Norseman Xtreme Triathlon. A 30-year-old male professional (PRO) triathlete, a 40-year-old female AGE GROUP triathlete and a 34-year-old male AGE GROUP triathlete presented with shortness of breath, chest tightness and coughing up pink sputum during the last part of the bike phase. All three athletes reported an improvement in breathing during the first major uphill of the bike phase and increasing symptoms during the downhill. The PRO athlete had a thoracic computed tomography, and the scan showed bilateral ground glass opacity in the peripheral lungs. The male AGE GROUP athlete had a normal chest x-ray. Both athletes were admitted for further observation and discharged from hospital the following day, with complete regression of symptoms. The female athlete recovered quickly following pre-hospital oxygen treatment. Non-cardiogenic pulmonary edema associated with endurance sports is rare but potentially very dangerous. Knowledge and awareness of possible risk factors and symptoms are essential, and the results presented in this report emphasize the importance of being aware of the possible delayed development of symptoms. To determine the presence of pulmonary edema elicited by strenuous exercise, equipment for measuring oxygen saturation should be available for the medical staff on site.
Highlights
Swimming-induced pulmonary edema (SIPE) is a potentially dangerous complication during strenuous exercise with the possibility of accompanying misdiagnosis
He was diagnosed with swimming-induced pulmonary edema
All three athletes presented in this report experienced a debut of shortness of breath during the swim phase of an extreme triathlon competition with symptomatic progression throughout the following bike phase
Summary
Swimming-induced pulmonary edema (SIPE) is a potentially dangerous complication during strenuous exercise with the possibility of accompanying misdiagnosis. Increased awareness among health professionals professionals and organizers, in addition to to early early detection detection of of symptoms symptoms of of SIPE, SIPE, are are health and organizers, in addition warranted to avoid life-threatening episodes during future extreme triathlon competitions. There are reports of athletes completing entire triathlon events with symptoms of [6,7,8,9]. There are reports of athletes completing entire triathlon events with symptoms of SIPE. In this case series, reportthree threecases casesof ofslowly slowly progressing progressing during the bike and and run run legslegs [10].[10]. Two athletes were admitted to hospital for further behaviour not previously described in the literature.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
