Quote: (Originally Posted by
Jim)
My opinion only - take it or leave it, but personally the only people in a position to discount a PFO on this forum should be a cardiologist. I also have annual medical check ups for work (20 years worth).
All the best & safe diving.
HAPPY NEW YEAR.
The PFO issue is really quite complex.
There is good evidence that divers with a PFO have a risk of DCI which is about 5 times as great as those who don't.
There is absolutely no evidence that closure of the PFO returns this risk to normal- although it would sort of seem to make sense. A lot of things which seem to make sense aren't true though.
Proper testing for PFO carries a (small) risk of significant health problems (including stroke). PFO closure carries much higher risks.
The question is "Do the risks of testing/closure outweigh the risks of DCI?" This can only be anwered on a case by case basis, and, in my opinion the answer is usually NO.
If you have had an episode of DCI and are an active technical diver (whose risk of DCI is higher than normal) then maybe testing and closure is justified.
A recreational diver with a single episode - which is worse, a 1 in 5000 or so risk per dive of DCI or a 1 in 100 or so risk of complications from a procedure - I know which I'd chose.
Screening of asymptomatic divers is even less justified.
Whilst I agree that only a cardiologist can diagnose a PFO, the issues surrounding PFO's and diving lie fair and square in the field that hyperbaric physicians should comment on.
Dave T