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Updated: Aug 19, 2026

Closure of a Patent Foramen Ovale (PFO): An Intervention Sequence
Published on: December 23, 2022
Evidence for increasing patency of the foramen ovale in divers
Peter Germonpre1, Francis Hastir, Paul Dendale
1Center for Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, Brussels, Belgium. peter.germonpre@mil.be
Abstract:
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.
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