What Researchers Did
Researchers reported on a diver with an unclosed persistent foramen ovale (PFO) who experienced decompression sickness (DCS) after a highly conservative dive.
What They Found
The diver, 15 months after a previous neuro-spinal DCS episode, developed new DCS symptoms following a single conservative dive, potentially triggered by a Valsalva manoeuvre. She required multiple hyperbaric oxygen treatments over several days, mirroring her previous episode but with milder signs. This suggests that some divers with unclosed PFO and a history of serious DCS may not be safe to dive even within conservative limits.
What This Means for Canadian Patients
Canadian divers with an unclosed persistent foramen ovale (PFO) and a history of serious decompression sickness should exercise extreme caution, as even highly conservative diving may pose a risk. Consulting with a dive medicine specialist to assess individual risk and consider PFO closure or abstaining from diving is crucial for patient safety.
Canadian Relevance
This study has no direct Canadian connection.
Study Limitations
As a single case report, the findings cannot be generalized to the broader population of divers with persistent foramen ovale.