Check out my multiple posts on this subject. I am an interventional cardiologist who closes PFOs as a part of my practice (including several people who are on this board). I'm also a CCR trimix instructor and cave diver.
In general, a PFO increases your risk of DCS by about 5 fold. While this sounds bad, the baseline risk of DCS is about 2 in 10, 000 so a 5 fold increase puts your risk up to 1 in 1000. The risk of the procedure is around 1% or so. In general, it doesn't make sense for someone who has never suffered DCS (and may never have an episode) to take a 1% complication risk to avoid something that may happen 1 in 1000 times.
As PFOs are present in 25% of the population, it makes sense to assume that about 25% of the divers out there also have one, but very few people get bent.
There is no reason to give up diving (or never start) because you have a PFO.
As mentioned above, I am coordinating a study of divers of divers with PFO who have suffered DCS. There is lots of PFO info on the DAN website. If you have specific questions about your case, PM me.
Doug
Hi Doug, I'm so desperate for some answers. Just saw this thread, hope it's not too late to write here. I hope you can help.
Quick background of myself
- Just been confirmed 3 weeks ago that I've a PFO, and during the bubble test, it shows it's open at rest as well. (awaiting to get a TOE done)
- 6 DCS logged within the last 1 year and a half (all DCS dives were within limits according to the dive computer, all on AIR)
- Last DCS was back in Oct 12, (worst one I recorded, with very bad chest pain, sharp lower abdominal pain, the usual deep purple rashes, shortness of breathe, weak, shoulder and back pain)
- never had any problems with NITROX dives
OK, my question is, before I go further and do the PFO closure, can I still go diving? I understand I'm at very high risk of getting ANOTHER DCS as it's been such a frequent thing to me, I dont even find it rare anymore. Sadly to say, it's rather normal to me, and I know the figures of DCS in recreational divers, I'm just one of those 0.xxx % diver who's DCS keep on coming. Ridiculously sad!
I am going back to the Red Sea for a week next week, been there few times, always using nitrox, never had any problems.
But back then, didn't know I have PFO, now, I'm just a worry rat! especially after the last DCS, I got scared finally. I know there's divers out there chose not to close their PFO, and still dive. I know the extra care I have to do if I do choose to dive, nitrox, longer and multi stops, shallower dives, shorter dives.. etc. Read all about it.
Have I missed anything out? and from your professional point of view, based on my frequent DCS episodes, will my body be at even higher risk of getting another DCS because of the past DCS episodes or they were all individual cases?! I know my body obviously doesn't take the nitrogen bubbles so well.
Would you also tell me not to dive until my PFO is closed? or can I be one of those divers with a PFO out there still can dive? But I don't know if they've that many DCS attacks like I had.
P.S I'm happy to provide you with any info for your research if you still looking for divers had DCS. I might probably be 1 of the interesting one who still survived after so many episodes. lol