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A few people have asked what I mean by a lung shunt, so.... My understanding from what I've been told, is that it's to do with the capillaries which cover the aveoli (lung sacks). In normal lungs the de-oxygenated blood comes from the venous side via the heart to the lungs. It flows through minute capillaries around the aveoli which oxygenates the blood. This oxygenated blood is then circulated to the body via the arterial side. In the case of a lung shunt, larger blood vessels are present to some degree, in addition to the minute capillaries. The problem with diving is similar to a PFO, with a possible build up of microbubbles in the arterial side. In normal lungs, microbubbles cannot get through the capillaries surrounding the aveoli and hence are expelled by the lungs. With a shunt, microbubbles which circulate through the larger blood vessels across the aveoli do not get trapped and literally bypass the lungs. These then carry on through into the arterial side where they become a risk which could induce DCS. Apparently, according to the consultant, this condition is more common in women and these larger blood vessels actualy dilate during pregnancy - although I don't have much information on this at all. Unlike a PFO, which can now be clamped shut, there is no solution at present for lung shunts. Hopefully we'll get some feedback which could be useful. Cheers Alex -- Send mail for the `techdiver' mailing list to `techdiver@aquanaut.com'. Send subscribe/unsubscribe requests to `techdiver-request@aquanaut.com'.
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