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- Title
Persistent foramen ovale closure in divers with a history of decompression sickness.
- Authors
Koopsen, R.; Stella, P. R.; Thijs, K. M.; Rienks, R.
- Abstract
Objective: To study the effect of percutaneous patent foramen ovale (PFO) closure in divers with a history of decompression sickness (DCS).Study design: (1) Retrospective study of patient records and (2) telephonic follow-up. Patients with unexplained decompression sickness, who were referred to a cardiologist with a focus on diving medicine between 2000 and 2017, were included in the studyResults: A total of 62 divers with DCS were included. In all cases transoesophageal echocardiography (TEE) was performed, showing 29 PFOs and 6 atrial septum defects (ASDs) in total n = 35 (56%). The highest prevalence was found in divers with cutaneous and vestibular DCS. At follow-up (mean follow-up duration 6.8 years), 21 PFOs/ASDs were closed using a percutaneous procedure. One diver was lost to follow-up. One diver quit diving. The remaining divers were able to resume unrestricted diving; there was no recurrence of major DCS. Of the divers with an open PFO or ASD, 14 were included of whom 7 are currently diving. All (except one diver with a small PFO) divers are using a conservative diving profile to reduce nitrogen load and the appearance of venous nitrogen bubbles. There was no recurrence of major DCS in this group.Conclusion: Percutaneous PFO closure may be an effective and safe treatment for divers who have suffered a major DCS to return to unrestricted diving. Alternatively, conservative treatment seems safe when divers refrain from unrestricted diving and use a conservative technique in order to reduce nitrogen load.
- Subjects
ATRIAL septal defect treatment; DECOMPRESSION sickness; ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY; HEART disease diagnosis; HISTORY of medicine
- Publication
Netherlands Heart Journal, 2018, Vol 26, Issue 11, p535
- ISSN
1568-5888
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1007/s12471-018-1153-x