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Percutaneous closure of patent foramen ovale for the secondary prevention of decompression illness in sports divers: mind the gap

Objective: To evaluate the efficiency of percutaneous patent foramen ovale (PFO) closure on the recurrence of decompression illness (DCI).

Design: Retrospective, observational study with interview and questionnaire

Setting: Tertiary referral center.

Population: 59 scuba divers with a history of DCI who received a percutaneous PFO closure.

Main outcome measurements: Questionnaire about health status, dive habits and recurrence of DCI after PFO closure.

Results: A total of 59 divers with DCI were included. The most common manifestations of DCI were cutaneous or vestibular DCI. Procedural complications occurred in four patients but none with long-term consequences. Four patients had recurrence of DCI after closure during a 10-year follow-up. In three of these cases there was residual shunting, all of which were initially considered closed. The fourth patient had aggravating factors for his recurrent DCI. A quarter of the patients stated to have changed their diving habits. Four patients quit diving.

Conclusion: Percutaneous PFO closure for secondary prevention of DCI is associated with few, but not negligible, complications. As a large portion of our cohort changed their diving habit after closure it is difficult to ascertain the efficiency of PFO closure for secondary prevention of DCI. However, the study shows that PFO closure does not fully protect against DCI, emphasizing that the relationship between PFO and DCI is but an association. As such it is imperative that divers be counseled to ensure they understand the risks as well as the benefits of percutaneous PFO closure in their specific case.

DOI: 10.22462/10.12.2019.6