Atrial septal defect decompression sickness

Jump to navigation Jump to search

Atrial Septal Defect Microchapters

Home

Patient Information

Overview

Anatomy

Classification

Ostium Secundum Atrial Septal Defect
Ostium Primum Atrial Septal Defect
Sinus Venosus Atrial Septal Defect
Coronary Sinus
Patent Foramen Ovale
Common or Single Atrium

Pathophysiology

Epidemiology and Demographics

Risk Factors

Natural History and Prognosis

Complications

Diagnosis

History and Symptoms

Physical Examination

Electrocardiogram

Chest X Ray

CT

MRI

Echocardiography

Transesophageal Echocardiography
Transthoracic Echocardiography
Contrast Echocardiography
M-Mode
Doppler

Transcranial Doppler Ultrasound

Cardiac Catheterization

Exercise Testing

ACC/AHA Guidelines for Evaluation of Unoperated Patients

Treatment

Medical Therapy

Surgery

Indications for Surgical Repair
Surgical Closure
Minimally Invasive Repair


Robotic ASD Repair
Percutaneous Closure
Post-Surgical Follow Up

Special Scenarios

Pregnancy
Diving and Decompression Sickness
Paradoxical Emboli
Pulmonary Hypertension
Eisenmenger's Syndrome
Atmospheric Pressure

Case Studies

Case #1

Atrial septal defect decompression sickness On the Web

Most recent articles

Most cited articles

Review articles

CME Programs

Powerpoint slides

Images

American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Atrial septal defect decompression sickness

All Images
X-rays
Echo & Ultrasound
CT Images
MRI

Ongoing Trials at Clinical Trials.gov

US National Guidelines Clearinghouse

NICE Guidance

FDA on Atrial septal defect decompression sickness

CDC on Atrial septal defect decompression sickness

Atrial septal defect decompression sickness in the news

Blogs on Atrial septal defect decompression sickness

Directions to Hospitals Treating Type page name here

Risk calculators and risk factors for Atrial septal defect decompression sickness

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-In-Chief: Priyamvada Singh, M.B.B.S. [2]; Cafer Zorkun, M.D., Ph.D. [3] Assistant Editor(s)-In-Chief: Kristin Feeney, B.S. [4]

Overview

Patients with patent foramen ovale and less frequently atrial septal defect are predisposed to decompression sickness. Decompression sickness or diver's disease occurs when body encounters depressurization such as in scuba diving, caisson working, flying in unpressurized aircraft, and extra-vehicular activity from spacecraft. The reduced pressure causes dissolved gases coming out of solution into bubbles inside the body on depressurization. Since bubbles can form in or migrate to any part of the body, decompression sickness can produce many symptoms, and its effects may vary from joint pain and rashes to paralysis and death.

Diving and Decompression Sickness

ASDs, and particularly PFOs, are a predisposing risk factor for decompression sickness in divers because a proportion of venous blood carrying inert gases, such as helium or nitrogen does not pass through the lungs.[1][2] The only way to release the excess inert gases from the body is to pass the blood carrying the inert gases through the lungs to be exhaled. If some of the inert gas-laden blood passes through the PFO, it avoids the lungs and the inert gas is more likely to form large bubbles in the arterial blood stream causing decompression sickness. Since bubbles can form in or migrate to any part of the body, DCS can produce many symptoms, and its effects may vary from joint pain and rashes to paralysis and death.

References

  1. Lier H, Schroeder S, Hering R (2004). "[Patent foramen ovale: an underrated risk for divers?]". Dtsch Med Wochenschr. 129 (1–2): 27–30. PMID 14703578.
  2. Saary M, Gray G (2001). "A review of the relationship between patent foramen ovale and type II decompression sickness". Aviat Space Environ Med. 72 (12): 1113–20. PMID 11763113.


Template:WikiDoc Sources CME Category::Cardiology