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Bubbles in the left cardiac cavities after diving

A Boussuges, J E Blatteau, J M Pontier

Correspondence to:
alainboussuges{at}libertysurf.fr; a.boussuges{at}imnssa.net

After scuba diving, circulating nitrogen bubbles can be detected in the venous system. In two subjects, we detected circulating bubbles in both right and left cavities of the heart and in the cerebral circulation. Several risk factors of paradoxical gas embolism are suggested here. The two divers developed a high bubble grade after surfacing. The right to left shunting occurred through a large patent foramen ovale (PFO). An increase in bubble grade in right cavities and an increase in arterial passage through the inter-atrial septal defect were observed during isometric contraction of lower limb muscles. Although they remained asymptomatic, our two divers should be considered at high risk of developing neurological decompression sickness (DCS). Indeed, the presence of a PFO has been associated with the risk of developing a DCS¹ and with the incidence of ischaemic brain lesions.² Haemodynamic modifications were assessed using Doppler-echocardiography. All the parameter modifications were consistent and suggested a decrease in cardiac preload after the dive. Furthermore, an increase in pulmonary vascular resistance was observed, which could promote the right-to-left shunting. A closure of the PFO could be discussed in these subjects. However, this procedure did not change the high level of venous circulating bubbles and the risk of developing an unrelated interatrial shunt DCS. Consequently, in subjects wishing to pursue their diving activity an appropriate preventive measure could be the use of oxygen-enriched mixture to decrease the nitrogen load and the risk of all types of DCS.

View this figure (55K): in this window | in a new window | PowerPoint for Teaching   Figure 1 Circulating bubbles in the right and the left cavities of the heart.

 

This article has been adapted from Boussuges A, Blatteau J E, Pontier J M. Bubbles in the left cardiac cavities after diving Heart 2008;94:445

1. Wilmshurst, PT, Byrne, JC, & Webb-Peploe, MM. Relation between interatrial shunts and decompression sickness in divers. Lancet 1989;2:1302–6.[CrossRef][Medline]
2. Schwerzmann, M, Seiler, C, Lipp, E, et al. Relation between directly detected patent foramen ovale and ischemic brain lesions in sport divers. Ann Intern Med 2001;134:21–4.[Abstract/Free Full Text]

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