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Date: Tue, 30 Apr 1996 18:01:28 -0700 (PDT)
From: Bob Favorite <rwfavorite@uc*.ed*>
To: IchthyoSapien <goettg@rp*.ed*>
cc: jms@ta*.ed*.ac*.uk*, sgreenham@ci*.co*.co*.uk*, techdiver@terra.net
Subject: Re: DCS incident - PFO diagnosed, opinions needed.

On Tue, 30 Apr 1996, IchthyoSapien wrote:

> i hate to blantently display my ignorance, but what the hell does PFO
> stand for?  reading all these posts w/out that knowledge is really 
> annoying.  thanks

PFO = patent foramen ovale.  It is a window between the two upper
halves(atria) of the heart that allows blood to go from right to left
heart without passing through the lungs.  This works great for fetuses who
have their blood oxygenated by the placenta but not so well in adults! 
Usually it closes soon after birth but in some cases it remains patent or 
open. 

                         Bob Favorite RVT          
UC Davis VMTH              UC Davis SCUBA          The Octopus' Garden
VMD 490 Instructor          safety diver               safety diver

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