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Active-Duty Sailor Develops PFO-Associated Decompression Sickness: Do Occupational Divers Warrant Alternative Cardiac
Tarin C Phillips1, W Rainey Johnson2, Nitin L Rao2
1Naval Undersea Medical Institute, Groton, Connecticut, USA.
Journal of the American College of Cardiology
|August 7, 2024
Summary
Severe decompression sickness in an active-duty diver with a heart defect (patent foramen ovale) was treated with closure, challenging standard guidelines. This highlights the need for cardiac screening in occupational divers.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Diving Physiology
- Occupational Health
Background:
- Decompression sickness (DCS) is a risk for divers.
- Patent foramen ovale (PFO) is a cardiac anomaly that may increase DCS risk.
- Standard guidelines do not recommend PFO closure for DCS prevention in divers.
Observation:
- An active-duty diver experienced severe DCS.
- The diver had a concomitant PFO.
- PFO closure was performed, deviating from standard recommendations.
Findings:
- Successful closure of the PFO in this severe DCS case.
- Treatment outcome challenges existing guidelines for PFO management in divers.
- This case suggests a potential benefit of PFO closure in specific high-risk diver populations.
Implications:
- Re-evaluation of cardiac screening protocols for occupational divers is warranted.
- Consideration of PFO screening and potential intervention for tactical athletes and military divers.
- Future research should investigate the efficacy and safety of PFO closure in preventing DCS in occupational diving scenarios.
Keywords:
cardiac riskcongenital heart defectlifestyleprimary preventionrisk factorsecondary preventionMore Related Videos
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