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PFOs are known to occur in about one third of the general population
(post-mortem/autopsy) studies. One useful piece of research here in the UK
studied divers who had a history of DCI, and compared them with a control
group, also divers, who had never had DCI. Both groups had bubble-contrast
Doppler echocardiography to detect the presence of inter-atrial shunting
(most likely to be due to a PFO).

A sub-group of divers who had suffered DCI despite diving "within the
tables", and with no other known risk factor for DCI, were found to have a
significantly higher incidence of PFO than the control group, suggesting
that a shunt is an independent risk factor for DCI.

It raises the question of whether all divers should be screened for PFO,
although the procedure requires specialised expertise and equipment.

I could find the reference if anyone wants more details.


Andrew Pitkin
apitkin@ad*.de*.co*.uk*
apitkin@ci*.co*.co*.uk*

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