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Effect of a single air dive on pulmonary diffusing capacity in professional divers
Z Dujić1, D Eterović, P Denoble
1Department of Physiology, Zagreb University School of Medicine, Split, Republic of Croatia.
Journal of Applied Physiology (Bethesda, Md. : 1985)
|January 1, 1993
Summary
Venous gas embolism after diving, detected by Doppler monitoring, significantly reduced pulmonary diffusing capacity (DLCO) with air decompression. Oxygen decompression prevented this reduction, suggesting DLCO measurement aids post-dive assessment.
Area of Science:
- Physiology
- Diving Medicine
- Pulmonary Function Testing
Background:
- Venous gas embolism (VGE) is a risk in diving.
- Precordial Doppler monitoring detects VGE.
- Pulmonary function changes post-dive require investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess if VGE after air diving correlates with pulmonary function changes.
- To compare air vs. oxygen decompression effects on pulmonary function and VGE.
Main Methods:
- 10 professional divers underwent a simulated air dive (5.5 bar, 25 min).
- Pulmonary function tests (spirometry, lung volumes, DLCO) and arterial blood gases were measured post-dive.
- Precordial Doppler monitored venous bubbles during air (AD) and oxygen (OD) decompression.
Main Results:
- Spirometry and lung volumes remained unchanged with both AD and OD.
- Arterial PO2 decreased significantly after AD.
- Pulmonary diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO) significantly decreased after AD (P < 0.001) but not OD.
- DLCO reduction correlated with bubble grade and decreased arterial PO2 after AD.
Conclusions:
- VGE after air diving is associated with reduced DLCO.
- Oxygen decompression mitigates DLCO reduction.
- DLCO measurement complements Doppler for post-dive pulmonary assessment.