Effect of Catheter-Based Patent Foramen Ovale Closure on the Occurrence of Arterial Bubbles in Scuba Divers

Abstract

No difference was observed in the occurrence of venous bubbles between the PFO and closure groups, but the catheter-based PFO closure led to complete elimination of arterial bubbles after simulated dives. (Nitrogen Bubble Detection After Simulated Dives in Divers With PFO and After PFO Closure; NCT01854281).

Patent Foramen Ovale Closure for Stroke Prevention and Other Disorders

“…Using TTE to detect venous bubbles and transcranial color‐coded sonography to detect arterial bubbles, the researchers found no difference in the appearance of venous bubbles in both groups after a test dive. Interestingly, catheter‐based PFO closure led to complete elimination of arterial bubbles 37. None of the divers in either group suffered DCS.…”

Patent foramen ovale: To close or not to close remains an unsettled issue except in three conditions

“…Although most divers remain asymptomatic, symptoms may occur with high bubble load (pulmonary gas embolism) or may be due to paradoxical embolism in a diver with a PFO. A high prevalence of PFO has been repeatedly reported in divers with the neurological form of DCS [16]. The high prevalence of PFO in the general population thus raises concern among divers and involved medical professionals.…”

“…Although the general risk of death during scuba is small, some risk associated with decompression sickness (DCS) still exists [16]. DCS is caused by nitrogen bubble formation in hypersaturated tissues during the diver's ascent.…”

“…Honĕk et al [16] exposed a group of sport divers to two acceptable (though risky) depth-time exposures and found a very high occurrence of venous gas emboli in the divers. These exposures are not recommended for sport diving by most diving organizations around the world, but are commonly followed by commercial divers, and recently by extension of sport diving to "technical diving", where exposures to deeper depth, special gas mixtures, and need for staged decompression procedures all increase risk for DCS [17].…”

“…These exposures are not recommended for sport diving by most diving organizations around the world, but are commonly followed by commercial divers, and recently by extension of sport diving to "technical diving", where exposures to deeper depth, special gas mixtures, and need for staged decompression procedures all increase risk for DCS [17]. Honĕk et al [16] found that, although no difference was observed in the occurrence of venous bubbles between the PFO and closure groups, the catheter-based PFO closure led to complete elimination of arterial bubbles after simulated dives.…”