Decompression Illness Reported in a Survey of 429 Recreational Divers

Klingmann, Christoph; Gonnermann, Achim; Dreyhaupt, Jens; Vent, Julia; Praetorius, Mark; Plinkert, Peter K.

doi:10.3357/asem.2126.2008

Cited by 15 publications

(6 citation statements)

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“…16 In addition, the previous experience of divers has been related to the risk for DCI. 17 Moreover, air travel after diving courses increases the risk for development of DCI, probably due to the high-pressure alterations. 18…”

Section: Decompression Sicknessmentioning

confidence: 99%

The management of patent foramen ovale in divers: where do we stand?

Toutouzas

Drakopoulou

Trantalis

et al. 2022

Ther Adv Neurol Disord

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Diving is a fascinating activity, but it does not come without any cost; decompression illness (DCI) is one of the most frequent diseases occurring in divers. Rapid surfacing after diving causes alveolar rupture and bubbles release, which enter in the systemic circulation and could embolize numerous organs and tissues. The presence of patent foramen ovale (PFO) contributes to the passage of venous gas bubbles into the arterial circulation, increasing the risk of complications related to DCI. The diagnosis is established with a detailed medical history, a comprehensive clinical evaluation, and a multimodal imaging approach. Although the percutaneous closure of PFO is ambiguous for divers, as a primary prevention strategy, transcatheter management is considered as beneficial for DCI recurrence prevention. The aim of this study is to introduce the basic principles of DCI, to review the pathophysiological connection between DCI and PFO, to highlight the risk factors and the optimal treatment, and, last but not least, to shed light on the role of closure as primary and secondary prevention.

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Section: Decompression Sicknessmentioning

confidence: 99%

The management of patent foramen ovale in divers: where do we stand?

Toutouzas

Drakopoulou

Trantalis

et al. 2022

Ther Adv Neurol Disord

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“…Nevertheless, our results are consistent with previous studies that have reported lower intravascular bubbles counts in females and a higher incidence of DCS in male divers. 9,14,28 DATA SPECIFIC TO FEMALES…”

Section: Decompression Sicknessmentioning

confidence: 99%

Turkish recreational divers: a comparative study of their demographics, diving habits, health and attitudes towards safety

Mirasoğlu¹,

Aktaş²

2017

Diving Hyperb Med

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Introduction:In Turkey, scuba diving has become more popular and accessible in the past decade and there has been a commensurate rise in the number of certified divers. This new generation of recreational divers has not been described in detail previously. The aim of this study was to profile this group, while investigating any gender differences and making comparisons with the global diving community. Methods: Turkish dive club members and diving forum/blog readers were invited to complete an online questionnaire investigating their demography, medical issues and diving history and habits. Results: The questionnaire was completed by 303 female and 363 male divers. Significant differences were found between the sexes in terms of demographics, diving experience and attitudes toward safety. Previous or ongoing medical conditions were reported by 100 female divers and 141 males. Only 29% of females and 22% of males had been examined by a physician trained to conduct assessments of fitness to dive. Female divers did not report problems while diving during menstruation or while taking oral contraceptives. There was no significant difference in the occurrence of decompression sickness (DCS) and DCS-like symptoms between the sexes. Conclusion: This is the largest study to date conducted on recreational divers in Turkey and so carries some value. It profiles their physical and behavioral attributes as well as differences in diving practices between the sexes in Turkey. Our findings should have implications for medical screening and dive training standards.

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“…8 Research suggests that only about 10% of divers experience some form of DCS in their lifetime. 9,10 However, for divers with a PFO the overall risk of DCI doubles, for neurological DCS it increases fourfold, and for divers with a large PFO, it increases six-fold. 11,12 In order for DCS associated with PFO to occur, at least three conditions need to be met: • Post-dive venous gas emboli must be present.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The effectiveness of risk mitigation interventions in divers with persistent (patent) foramen ovale

Anderson¹,

Ebersole

Covington

et al. 2019

Diving Hyperb Med

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Introduction: Persistent (patent) foramen ovale (PFO) is a recognized risk for decompression sickness (DCS) in divers, which may be mitigated by conservative diving or by PFO closure. Our study aimed to compare the effectiveness of these two risk mitigation interventions. Methods: This was a prospective study on divers who tested positive for PFO or an atrial septal defect (ASD) and either decided to continue diving without closure ('conservative group'), or to close their PFO/ASD and continue diving ('closure group'). Divers' characteristics, medical history, history of diving and history of DCS were reported at enrollment and annually after that. The outcome measures were the incidence rate of DCS, frequency and intensity of diving activities, and adverse events of closure. Results: Divers in both groups dived less and had a lower incidence rate of confirmed DCS than before the intervention. In the closure group (n = 42) the incidence rate of confirmed DCS decreased significantly. Divers with a large PFO experienced the greatest reduction in total DCS. In the conservative group (n = 23), the post-intervention decrease in confirmed DCS incidence rate was not significant. Of note, not all divers returned to diving after closure. Seven subjects reported mild adverse events associated with closure; one subject reported a serious adverse event. Conclusions: PFO closure should be considered on an individual basis. In particular, individuals who are healthy, have a significant DCS burden, a large PFO or seek to pursue advanced diving may benefit from closure.

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Decompression Illness Reported in a Survey of 429 Recreational Divers

Cited by 15 publications

References 0 publications

The management of patent foramen ovale in divers: where do we stand?

The management of patent foramen ovale in divers: where do we stand?

Turkish recreational divers: a comparative study of their demographics, diving habits, health and attitudes towards safety

The effectiveness of risk mitigation interventions in divers with persistent (patent) foramen ovale

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