Journal
CLINICAL JOURNAL OF SPORT MEDICINE
Volume 21, Issue 6, Pages 537-538Publisher
LIPPINCOTT WILLIAMS & WILKINS
DOI: 10.1097/JSM.0b013e318235151e
Keywords
severe physical exertion; acute lung injury
Categories
Ask authors/readers for more resources
We report the case of a 27-year-old male athlete presenting with severe dyspnoea 24 hours after completing an Ironman Triathlon. Subsequent chest radiology excluded pulmonary embolus but confirmed an acute lung injury (ALE). Echocardiography corroborated a normal brain natriuretic peptide level by demonstrating good biventricular systolic function with no regional wall motion abnormalities. He recovered well, without requiring ventilatory support, on supplemental oxygen therapy and empirical antibiotics. To date, ALI following severe physical exertion has never been described. Exercise is a form of physiological stress resulting in oxidative stress through generation of reactive oxygen/nitrogen species. In its extreme form, there is potential for an excessive oxidative stress response one that overwhelms the body's protective antioxidant mechanisms. As our case demonstrated, oxidative stress secondary to severe physical exertion was the most likely factor in the pathogenesis of ALL. Further studies are necessary to explore the pathological consequences of exercise-induced oxidative stress. Although unproven as of yet, further research may be needed to demonstrate if antioxidant therapy can prevent or ameliorate potential life-threatening complications in the acute setting.
Authors
I am an author on this paper
Click your name to claim this paper and add it to your profile.
Reviews
Recommended
No Data Available