Accession Number:
ADP011061
Title:
Patent Foramen Ovale as a Risk Factor for Altitude Decompression Illness
Descriptive Note:
Corporate Author:
CANADIAN SPACE AGENCY OTTAWA (ONTARIO)
Personal Author(s):
Report Date:
2001-06-01
Pagination or Media Count:
4.0
Abstract:
The relation between the presence of a patent foramen ovale PFO and the risk of decompression illness DCI remains controversial. PFO is a common finding in the general population with an autopsy prevalence of about 25. Recent review articles in the diving literature have concluded the presence of a PFO may increase the relative risk for DCI but the absolute risk remains low. In space operations DCI is a significant concern for extravehicular activities EVA because of the low Suit pressure the NASA EMU-suit pressure is 4.3 psia equivalent to about 30,000 feet.
Descriptors:
Subject Categories:
- Medicine and Medical Research
- Stress Physiology