Immersion pulmonary edema: an analysis of 31 cases from Oceania.

Aim: To review incidents of immersion pulmonary edema (IPE) from Oceania, to determine the demographics, diving parameters, and comorbidities that may be related to this disorder.

Method: Incidents of IPE, most of which were documented by Divers Alert Network Asia-Pacific (DAN AP) or reported in our medical literature, were analyzed. They included interviews with the survivors and a review of available medical records.

Immersion pulmonary edema: case reports from Oceania.

Introduction: We aimed to document identified cases of immersion pulmonary edema (IPE) in divers from Oceania (the Indo-Pacific region) from January 2002 to May 2018, inclusive.

Method: Cases were identified using various sources, including searches of the Divers Alert Network Asia-Pacific (DAN AP) Fatality Database, published case reports, and interviews with survivors who had reported their incident to DAN AP. Where available, investigations, pathology and autopsy results were obtained.

The evolution of scuba divers pulmonary edema.

The evolution of scuba divers pulmonary edema is described. When discovered in 1981, it was believed to be a cold-induced response in a submerged, otherwise healthy, scuba diver. The clinical features are described and discussed, as are the demographics.

Immersion pulmonary oedema and Takotsubo cardiomyopathy.

A 67-year-old female scuba diver developed a typical immersion pulmonary oedema (IPE), but investigations strongly indicated Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TC). The cardiac abnormalities included increased cardiac enzymes, electrocardiographic anomalies and echocardiographic changes, all reverting to normal within days. This case demonstrates a similarity and association between IPE and TC, and the importance of prompt cardiac investigations both in the investigation of IPE and in making the diagnosis of TC.

Diving fatality investigations: recent changes.

Modifications to the investigation procedures in diving fatalities have been incorporated into the data acquisition by diving accident investigators. The most germane proposal for investigators assessing diving fatalities is to delay the drawing of conclusions until all relevant diving information is known. This includes: the accumulation and integration of the pathological data; the access to dive computer information; re-enactments of diving incidents; post-mortem CT scans and the interpretation of intravascular and tissue gas detected.

Recent modifications to the investigation of diving related deaths.

The investigation of deaths that involve diving using a compressed breathing gas (SCUBA diving) is a specialized area of forensic pathology. Diving related deaths occur more frequently in certain jurisdictions, but any medical examiner or coroner's office may be faced with performing this type of investigation. In order to arrive at the correct conclusion regarding the cause and manner of death, forensic pathologists and investigators need to have a basic understanding of diving physiology, and should also utilize more recently developed technology and ancillary techniques.

A forensic diving medicine examination of a highly publicised scuba diving fatality.

A high-profile diving death occurred in 2003 at the site of the wreck of the SS Yongala off the Queensland coast. The victim's buddy, her husband, was accused of her murder and found guilty of manslaughter in an Australian court. A detailed analysis of all the evidence concerning this fatality suggests alternative medical reasons for her death.

Scuba divers' pulmonary oedema: recurrences and fatalities.

Scuba divers' pulmonary oedema (SDPE) is an increasingly recognised disorder in divers. We report three fatal cases of SDPE, demonstrating its potential serious nature even in the absence of underlying cardiac disease demonstrable clinically or at autopsy. This, together with the frequency of recurrences, has implications on assessing fitness for subsequent diving, snorkelling and swimming.

Scuba divers' pulmonary oedema. A case report.

A case of presumed scuba divers' pulmonary oedema (SDPE) is presented. The symptomatology and clinical progress is typical and it illustrates some of the aetiological factors incriminated in this disease, as well as measures taken to avoid the disorder. Such factors include the effects of immersion, negative-pressure inspiration induced by vertical positioning in the water, resistance to breathing by the scuba regulator and advanced age.

Scuba divers' pulmonary oedema. A review.

The literature on scuba divers' pulmonary oedema (SDPE) is reviewed, especially in its relationship to other immersioninduced pulmonary oedemas. It is concluded that although the three forms induced by swimming, freediving and scuba diving have some features in common, there are significant differences in their demographics, causation and clinical management. The swimming-induced cases tend to be young and fit, but exposed to excessive exertion.