What Researchers Did
Researchers compared blood tests, platelet function, and blood enzyme levels in two similar deep-sea simulation dives: one performed in a hyperbaric chamber and another in the open ocean.
What They Found
The chamber dive, which involved more stressful conditions and complications like oxygen convulsions and decompression sickness, led to a significant drop in circulating platelet count and mild but significant anemia. Some subjects in the chamber dive also showed significant increases in plasma enzyme activities (LDH, CPK, GOT, GPT) linked to oxygen toxicity or suspected decompression sickness. In contrast, the open-water dive showed no significant change in platelet counts, though one subject with gastroenteritis had moderate enzyme elevations. Both dives resulted in elevated white blood cell counts and reduced platelet aggregation sensitivity.
What This Means for Canadian Patients
This research highlights the significant physiological stresses and blood changes that can occur during saturation diving, a specialized and high-risk activity. For Canadian professional divers or those involved in similar extreme environments, understanding these potential hematological and biochemical responses is crucial for monitoring health and ensuring safety during deep, prolonged exposures.
Canadian Relevance
This study covers decompression sickness, which is a Health Canada-recognized indication for hyperbaric oxygen therapy.
Study Limitations
The study's findings are limited by the small number of subjects and the specific, high-stress conditions of saturation diving, making broad generalization to other hyperbaric exposures challenging.