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Open Access 01-12-2023 | Pulmonary Edema | Original Research Article

Characterizing Immersion Pulmonary Edema (IPE): A Comparative Study of Military and Recreational Divers

Authors: Dorian Wolff, Olivier Castagna, Jean Morin, Henri Lehot, Romain Roffi, Arnaud Druelle, Jean-Éric Blatteau

Published in: Sports Medicine - Open | Issue 1/2023

Abstract

Background

Immersion Pulmonary Edema (IPE) is a common and potentially serious diving accident that can have significant respiratory and cardiac consequences and, in some cases, be fatal. Our objective was to characterize cases of IPE among military trainees and recreational divers and to associate their occurrence with exposure and individual background factors such as age and comorbidity. We conducted a retrospective analysis on the medical records and diving parameters of all patients who were treated for IPE at the Hyperbaric Medicine Department of Sainte-Anne Military Hospital in Toulon, France, between January 2017 and August 2019. In total, 57 subjects were included in this study, with ages ranging from 20 to 62 years. These subjects were divided into two distinct groups based on exposure categories: (1) underwater/surface military training and (2) recreational scuba diving. The first group consisted of 14 individuals (25%) with a mean age of 26.5 ± 2.6 years; while, the second group comprised 43 individuals (75%) with a mean age of 51.2 ± 7.5 years. All divers under the age of 40 were military divers.

Results

In 40% of cases, IPE occurred following intense physical exercise. However, this association was observed in only 26% of recreational divers, compared to 86% of military divers. Among civilian recreational divers, no cases of IPE were observed in subjects under the age of 40. The intensity of symptoms was similar between the two groups, but the duration of hospitalization was significantly longer for the recreational subjects.

Conclusion

It seems that the occurrence of IPE in young and healthy individuals requires their engagement in vigorous physical activity. Additionally, exposure to significant ventilatory constraints is a contributing factor, with the intensity of these conditions seemingly exclusive to military diving environments. In contrast, among civilian recreational divers, IPE tends to occur in subjects with an average age twice that of military divers. Moreover, these individuals exhibit more prominent comorbidity factors, and the average level of environmental stressors is comparatively lower.

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Title: Characterizing Immersion Pulmonary Edema (IPE): A Comparative Study of Military and Recreational Divers
Authors: Dorian Wolff
Olivier Castagna
Jean Morin
Henri Lehot
Romain Roffi
Arnaud Druelle
Jean-Éric Blatteau
Publication date: 01-12-2023
Publisher: Springer International Publishing
Keyword: Pulmonary Edema
Published in: Sports Medicine - Open / Issue 1/2023
Print ISSN: 2199-1170
Electronic ISSN: 2198-9761
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s40798-023-00659-4

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Characterizing Immersion Pulmonary Edema (IPE): A Comparative Study of Military and Recreational Divers

Abstract

Background

Results

Conclusion

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Results

Conclusion

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