title: Atrial septal defect: a coincidental ﬁnding on a screening medical.
abstract: An otherwise ﬁt, healthy medical practitioner who was a recreational diver underwent a medical assessment for a remote posting as an Antarctic Medical Practitioner at which a coincidental ﬁnding of an atrial septal defect (ASD) was made. ASDs can have health implications in extreme environments such as high altitude and is contraindicated in scuba diving. ASDs are common, being present in 1:1,500 live births and comprise 10% of all cardiac abnormalities. In this case, a percutaneous occlusive device was inserted under general anaesthetic with subsequent improvements in the practitioner's exercise capacity, return to diving and full employment, including Antarctic deployment, and right-sided heart remodelling 18 months post closure.
authors.affiliation: Department of Diving and Hyperbaric Medicine, Royal Hobart Hospital, PO Box 744, North Hobart , Tasmania 7002, Australia, Phone: +61-(0)3-6222-8193, E-mail: drlizzie@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Elizabeth J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Elliott
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000531:Altitude; D000864:Antarctic Regions; D004242:Diving; D004452:Echocardiography; D005080:Exercise Test; D005260:Female; D006344:Heart Septal Defects, Atrial / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D033162:Incidental Findings; D055989:Septal Occluder Device; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Right-to-left shunt; cardiovascular; case reports; occupational health; radiological imaging; treatment