Cardiovascular and respiratory effects of the neoprene wetsuit in non-immersed divers.

A neoprene wetsuit is widely used to reduce thermal dispersion during diving. Recent observations have pointed out that elastic recoil of the wetsuit might have significant compressive effects, able to affect water and electrolyte homeostasis during both dry and immersed conditions. The aim of this study was to evaluate the possible cardiovascular and respiratory effects of the neoprene wetsuit in dry conditions in a sample of experienced divers.

Increase of pulmonary arterial pressure in subjects with venous gas emboli after uncomplicated recreational SCUBA diving.

The presence of circulating gas bubbles has been repeatedly reported after uncomplicated SCUBA dives. The clinical and pathophysiological relevance of this phenomenon is still under debate but some experimental data suggest that silent bubbles may have a damaging potential on pulmonary endothelial cells. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the possible hemodynamic effect on pulmonary circulation of post-dive circulating gas bubbles.

Effects of depth and chest volume on cardiac function during breath-hold diving.

Cardiac response to breath-hold diving in human beings is primarily characterized by the reduction of both heart rate and stroke volume. By underwater Doppler-echocardiography we observed a "restrictive/constrictive" left ventricular filling pattern compatible with the idea of chest squeeze and heart compression during diving. We hypothesized that underwater re-expansion of the chest would release heart constriction and normalize cardiac function.

Cardiac changes induced by immersion and breath-hold diving in humans.

To evaluate the separate cardiovascular response to body immersion and increased environmental pressure during diving, 12 healthy male subjects (mean age 35.2 +/- 6.5 yr) underwent two-dimensional Doppler echocardiography in five different conditions: out of water (basal); head-out immersion while breathing (condition A); fully immersed at the surface while breathing (condition B) and breath holding (condition C); and breath-hold diving at 5-m depth (condition D).