Increased oxygen before and during decompression reduces bubble formation in rats

The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that increased oxygen partial pressure shortly before and during decompression from hyperbaric pressures would decrease venous gas bubble formation. Bubbles were detected by an ultrasound Doppler technique in conscious, freely moving rats. All rats were exposed twice to 6 bar for 2 hours. In exposure A, the breathing gas mixture was 1 bar O2 and 5 bar N2. In exposure B, the breathing gas was changed to 2 bar O2 and 4 bar N2, 5 min prior to decompression. The decompression rate was 0.1 bar x s(-1) in both groups. Significantly fewer bubbles were detected after decompression in exposure B compared to A. The angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) concentration in serum was measured as an indicator of possible damage to the pulmonary endothelium induced by bubbles. However, no correlation between ACE and bubble amount was found. In conclusion, this study in conscious rats indicates that safer decompression may be obtained by increasing the oxygen partial pressure before and during decompression.