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- Title
Perspective on ultrasound bioeffects and possible implications for continuous post-dive monitoring safety.
- Authors
McCune, Erica P.; Le, David Q.; Lindholm, Peter; Nightingale, Kathryn R.; Dayton, Paul A.; Papadopoulou, Virginie
- Abstract
Ultrasound monitoring, both in the form of Doppler and 2D echocardiography, has been used post-dive to detect decompression bubbles circulating in the bloodstream. With large variability in both bubble time course and loads, it has been hypothesised that shorter periods between imaging, or even continuous imaging, could provide more accurate post-dive assessments. However, while considering applications of ultrasound imaging post-decompression, it may also be prudent to consider the possibility of ultrasound-induced bioeffects. Clinical ultrasound studies using microbubble contrast agents have shown bioeffect generation with acoustic powers much lower than those used in post-dive monitoring. However, to date no studies have specifically investigated potential bioeffect generation from continuous post-dive echocardiography. This review discusses what can be drawn from the current ultrasound and diving literature on the safety of bubble sonication and highlights areas where more studies are needed. An overview of the ultrasound-bubble mechanisms that lead to bioeffects and analyses of ultrasound contrast agent studies on bioeffect generation in the pulmonary and cardiovascular systems are provided to illustrate how bubbles under ultrasound can cause damage within the body. Along with clinical ultrasound studies, studies investigating the effects of decompression bubbles under ultrasound are analysed and open questions regarding continuous post-dive monitoring safety are discussed.
- Subjects
ULTRASONIC imaging; COLOR Doppler ultrasonography; ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY; DECOMPRESSION sickness; CARDIOVASCULAR system
- Publication
Diving & Hyperbaric Medicine: Journal of the South Pacific Underwater Medicine Society, 2022, Vol 52, Issue 2, p136
- ISSN
1833-3516
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.28920/dhm52.2.136-148