Cardiopulmonary function after recovery from swimming-induced pulmonary edema

Objective: This study aimed to compare cardiopulmonary function in patients with a history of swimming-induced pulmonary edema (SIPE) with controls by measuring pulmonary function tests, oxygen consumption with exercise, and the pulmonary arterial pressure response to hypoxemia. Design: Case control study. Setting: Tertiary Military Medical Center. Patients: US Navy Special Warfare members who had previously suffered SIPE. Interventions: Measurement of pulmonary function tests, cardiopulmonary exercise test, pulmonary artery pressure by echocardiography at rest on room air and with hypoxia. Main Outcome Measurements: Pulmonary function testing, carbon monoxide diffusing capacity, maximal oxygen consumption, and pulmonary arterial pressure response to hypoxemia. Results: Subjects who previously had SIPE did not demonstrate differences in pulmonary function tests, carbon monoxide diffusing capacity, maximal oxygen consumption, or pulmonary arterial pressure response to hypoxemia. Conclusions: Subjects with a history of SIPE do hot have abnormal pulmonary function tests, abnormal exercise capacity, or abnormal pulmonary arterial pressure response to hypoxemia when tested in dry conditions.