Patent foramen ovale: transcatheter closure or conservative dive profile in decompression sickness prevention in divers?

Abstract

The aim of this study was to compare the influence of transcatheter patent foramen ovale (PFO) closure and safe diving recommendations limiting bottom time and depth on the occurrence of arterial bubbles after simulated dives in a hyperbaric chamber.

Keywords

• patent foramen ovale
• decompression sickness
• simulated dive
• transcranial Doppler ultrasonography
• paradoxical embolism