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Paradoxical gas embolism after SCUBA diving: Hemodynamic changes studied by echocardiography
Author(s) -
Boussuges A.,
Pontier J. M.,
Schmid B.,
Dussault C.
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
scandinavian journal of medicine and science in sports
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.575
H-Index - 115
eISSN - 1600-0838
pISSN - 0905-7188
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-0838.2012.01474.x
Subject(s) - preload , cardiology , medicine , cardiac output , patent foramen ovale , hemodynamics , foramen ovale (heart) , stroke volume , paradoxical embolism , shunting , right heart , ventilation (architecture) , anesthesia , blood pressure , heart rate , migraine , mechanical engineering , engineering
Hemodynamic changes induced by self‐contained underwater breathing apparatus diving were investigated using D oppler echocardiography. We detected circulating bubbles in both right and left cavities of the heart and in the cerebral circulation in two divers with a large patent foramen ovale. A reduction in the left ventricular preload was suggested by echocardiographic measurements. The decreased cardiac preload was paralleled to a lower stroke volume and cardiac output. These findings were also observed in divers with no evidence of circulating bubbles. In these subjects, pulmonary vascular resistances remained unchanged while an increase was observed in the two divers with arterial bubbles. This increase could promote right‐to‐left shunting.