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Altitude decompression sickness symptom resolution during descent to ground level
Patrick M Muehlberger1, Andrew A Pilmanis, James T Webb
1Wright State University/Wright Patterson Air Force Base Emergency Medicine Residency Program, Dayton, OH, USA. Patrick.muehlberger@yokota.af.mil
Aviation, Space, and Environmental Medicine
|June 17, 2004
Summary
Timely descent and ground-level oxygen effectively treat most altitude decompression sickness (DCS) symptoms. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is best reserved for severe or persistent DCS cases.
Area of Science:
- Aerospace Medicine
- Physiology
- Environmental Health
Background:
- Altitude decompression sickness (DCS) poses risks during high-altitude operations and space activities.
- Current treatments include ground-level oxygen and hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBO).
- The effectiveness of recompression to ground level for DCS symptom resolution requires further examination.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of recompression to ground level on DCS symptoms.
- To determine the optimal recompression levels for DCS symptom resolution.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of 1,699 DCS symptoms from the AFRL Altitude DCS Database.
- Review of data from altitude chamber exposures.
Main Results:
- 84.3% of DCS symptoms resolved during descent.
- A recompression of 138 mmHg resolved approximately 50% of symptoms.
- The highest symptom resolution rates were observed with recompressions between 50-250 mmHg.
Conclusions:
- Descent and postflight ground-level oxygen are sufficient for most altitude DCS symptoms.
- Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBO) should be reserved for serious, recurring, or refractory DCS.
- Further research into DCS symptom resolution is warranted.