Patent foramen ovale (PFO) closure in scuba divers might be effective in preventing decompression sickness, a new study suggests.
An analysis of more than 800 divers showed that those who were screened and then underwent PFO closure were less likely to experience unprovoked decompression sickness (DCS) than those who took a conservative approach to management.
"This is the first study to show that PFO closure is effective in DCS prevention in divers with a high-grade PFO," who face an increased risk, Jakub Honěk, MD, PhD, Motol University Hospital, Prague, said in an interview with theheart.org | Medscape Cardiology.
In contrast, he noted, "a conservative approach to diving that limits nitrogen exposure and allows for more gradual decompression had lower efficacy in this group of divers."
The findings were published online August 18 in JACC: Cardiovascular Imaging.
Paradoxical Embolization
PFO is associated with an increased risk for decompression sickness in divers due to paradoxical embolization of nitrogen bubbles, the researchers note. "These events can be unpredictable in divers with a PFO."
Recently, transcatheter closure was shown to reduce DCS occurrence in divers with a high-grade shunt, the researchers note in their report. "However, to date, there are no data regarding the effectiveness of any PFO screening and risk stratification strategy for divers," they write.
