Screening and Risk Stratification Strategy Reduced Decompression Sickness Occurrence in Divers With Patent Foramen Ovale.

Objectives: This paper sought to evaluate the occurrence of decompression sickness (DCS) after the application of a patent foramen ovale (PFO) screening and risk stratification strategy.

Background: PFO is associated with an increased risk of DCS. Recently, transcatheter closure was reported to reduce DCS occurrence in divers with a high-grade shunt.

High-grade patent foramen ovale is a risk factor of unprovoked decompression sickness in recreational divers.

Background: Patent foramen ovale (PFO), male sex, age, and body mass index (BMI) were all identified as potential risk factors of decompression sickness (DCS). It has been debated whether PFO might cause unprovoked DCS (i.e.

Effect of catheter-based patent foramen ovale closure on the occurrence of arterial bubbles in scuba divers.

Objectives: This study sought to evaluate the effect of catheter-based patent foramen ovale (PFO) closure on the occurrence of arterial bubbles after simulated dives.

Background: PFO is a risk factor of decompression sickness in divers due to paradoxical embolization of bubbles. To date, the effectiveness of catheter-based PFO closure in the reduction of arterial bubbles has not been demonstrated.