What Researchers Did
Researchers presented a case report detailing a diver with chronic atrial fibrillation whose Type II decompression sickness was initially misdiagnosed as a stroke.
What They Found
A 71-year-old diver with atrial fibrillation experienced shoulder pain and collapsed 20 minutes after his fourth dive, which reached a maximum depth of 60 fsw. Despite a CT scan showing no brain bleed or infarct, his Type II decompression sickness was only diagnosed and treated 25 hours later.
What This Means for Canadian Patients
Canadian divers, especially those with pre-existing conditions like atrial fibrillation, should be aware that symptoms after diving could indicate decompression sickness. Healthcare providers in Canada should maintain a high index of suspicion for decompression sickness in divers presenting with neurological symptoms, even when other conditions are present.
Canadian Relevance
This study has no direct Canadian connection.
Study Limitations
As a single case report, the findings of this study cannot be generalized to a broader patient population.