What Researchers Did
Researchers reported a case of severe decompression sickness in a compressed air worker with a large atrial septal defect.
What They Found
A compressed air worker developed diffuse cutaneous decompression sickness after only his third hyperbaric exposure at 253 kPa gauge. He was found to have a 9 mm atrial septal defect causing a very large right-to-left shunt, while 32 other workers undergoing 233 similar exposures were unaffected. This represents the first reported case in the UK and second worldwide of shunt-mediated decompression sickness in a hyperbaric tunnel worker.
What This Means for Canadian Patients
Canadian patients who are compressed air workers or divers should be screened for atrial septal defects if they experience unusual decompression sickness symptoms. Identifying and managing such shunts according to established guidelines could prevent severe occupational health complications.
Canadian Relevance
This case study has no direct Canadian connection.
Study Limitations
As a single case study, these findings may not be generalizable to all compressed air workers or individuals with atrial septal defects.