Evidence for increasing patency of the foramen ovale in divers.
Using a standardized contrast-enhanced transesophageal echocardiographic technique, a group of divers was reexamined for the presence and size of patent foramen ovale (PFO) 7 years after their initial examinations. Unexpected but significant increases in the prevalence and size of PFO were found, suggesting a possible increasing risk for decompression sickness in these divers over time.
Germonpre
Peter
P
Center for Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, Brussels, Belgium. peter.germonpre@mil.be
Hastir
Francis
F
Dendale
Paul
P
Marroni
Alessandro
A
Nguyen
Anne-Florence
AF
Balestra
Costantino
C
D003665:Decompression Sickness / Q000209:etiology; D018450:Disease Progression; D004242:Diving / Q000009:adverse effects*; D017548:Echocardiography, Transesophageal; D006344:Heart Septal Defects, Atrial / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D013997:Time Factors