Patent foramen ovale and decompression sickness
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editors-In-Chief: Priyamvada Singh, M.B.B.S. [2]; Assistant Editor-In-Chief: Kristin Feeney, B.S. [3]
Overview
Divers may face a risk of decompression illness if they do not have a patent foramen ovale closed.
Decompression sickness in patent foramen ovale
Decompression illness can occur in divers when they ascent from deeper waters to the surface. The change in pressure (high to low) causes formation of gas bubbles from components present in the different parts of the body like joints, spine and skin pores. These gas bubbles can enter the venous system and finally to the systemic circulation via the inter-atrial communications and can cause complications. Thus, scuba diving can lead to decompression illness and other complications in patients of patent foramen ovale