Acute coronary syndrome and cerebral arterial gas embolism in a scuba diver

SummaryBackgroundPulmonary barotrauma is a rare but feared complication of scuba diving, with around 30% mortality.ObjectiveWe report an uncommon case of pulmonary barotrauma complicated by arterial gas embolism with both coronary and neurological ischemic injuries after scuba diving.Case reportA 46-year-old-man was admitted to our hospital for acute coronary syndrome and stroke following a scuba dive. After hyperbaric oxygen therapy, the patient recovered fully with a subsequent normal coronary angiogram.ConclusionMyocardial ischemia can be a complication of scuba diving, but does not always reveal significant obstructive coronary artery disease.