Effect of a single, open-sea, air scuba dive on human micro- and macrovascular function

Abstract

There appears to be a reduction in endothelium-dependent and endothelium-independent, macro- and microvascular function associated with diving. Our results suggest that in the process of vascular dysfunction during diving, functional changes in the vessel wall may not be limited to the endothelium and may be mediated by alterations in vascular smooth muscle.

Age, weight and decompression sickness in rats

“…With senescence the cardiovascular system undergoes complex structural and functional changes (Ardestani et al, 2015 F o r P e e r R e v i e w O n l y ). Diving too may lead to vascular dysfunction and endothelial cell death (Lambrechts et al, 2013, Wang et al, 2014.…”

“…In a French study of 200 professional divers (mean age 38 years), 2.5% had a high 10-year risk and 34% had an intermediate 10-year risk of an acute coronary event (Pougnet et al, 2012). Diving too may lead to vascular dysfunction and endothelial cell death (Lambrechts et al, 2013, Wang et al, 2014. Obad et al found that post-dive flowmediated dilation of the brachial artery in divers remained reduced for two days after a single air dive (Obad et al, 2007).…”

Reactive Oxygen Species, Mitochondria, and Endothelial Cell Death during In Vitro Simulated Dives

“…A common research approach in the physiopathology of DCS is based on the endothelial dysfunction hypothesis, which states that diving induces an alteration of endothelial cell activity, which could be a causative factor for DCS (17). In support to this, decreased vasodilation is well documented to occur in conductance arteries after diving (3,14,19,22).…”

“…Indeed, postdive flow-mediated vasodilation (FMD) inhibition is directly linked to the oxygen fraction during SCUBA dives (19). However, hyperbaric hyperoxia (pure oxygen breathing under moderate ambient pressure) is unable to impair endothelial-dependant or independent vasodilation (3,14). Thus, the precise role of increased oxygen partial pressure in association with other factors of the dive remains to be determined.…”

“…Bubbles are a major causative element of diving-induced morbidity (2,4,14,20). However, since they are poor predictors of decompression sickness (DCS) (9) and since DCS mechanisms are far from completely understood, the study of decompression sickness is of particular interest.…”