Anyone had a PFO closure?

[debersole]

This is an old thread but I just wanted to remind everyone that I am still doing a study with Dr. Denoble of DAN following people with a history of PFO and DCI. We are enrolling both divers who had their PFO closed as well as divers who elected to leave it alone. Any and all are welcome. Information is on the DAN website (www.dan.org) or feel free to email me directly (dgebersole@gmail.com)

Doug

[gschaut]

The only problem I had with PFO was finding out IF I had one!

Insurance would not cover test until AFTER something happened.

So... when I had some ulcer pain a few years ago my PMD (who is also a diver) wrote me up as "non specific chest pain on exertion".

Insurace approved an Echo Stress Test (treadmill EKG with ultrasound exam of the heart). Good news- no clogged arteries, valves working fine, and no PFO.

Sent home with Tums & lay off Mexican food.

[mgif99]

I think the current cardiology recommendations are to only fix it if you've had symptoms. I certainly wouldn't go looking foer a PFO if you've never had any problems. I had it done a few years ago. Had a couple "wierd" events after deep deco dives then had a full blownTIA at home (arm wouldn't move). Insurance covered it. Total bill was about $30 K so I'd definitely get insurance to cover it. Procedure was piece of cake. To hospital at 7, home at 5, but I'm relatively young and healthy, so everyone may have a different experience. I was working out a couple days later. Took Plavix for 3 months. No events since (been almost 4 years now) with plenty of deco dives during that time. PM me if you have any questions.

[debersole]

We would love to have you in our study. Here is a link to more information:

http://www.diversalertnetwork.org/re...of_pfo_closure

Doug

[Tracydr]

I had a bubble study covered due to frequent migraines.
Thankfully, no PfO. Very reassuring as I want to start technical training and also because we tend to dive fairly aggressively when on dive trips. 5 dives a day usually, for a week or two. I was a little concerned, given my frequent migraines, that I could have a PFOS causing them.

[gschaut]

I think the current cardiology recommendations are to only fix it if you've had symptoms. I certainly wouldn't go looking foer a PFO if you've never had any problems.

With due respect to the "land lubber" cardiology community, when I was preparing to upgrade from OW to Tech I felt it was in my OWN best interest to determine my physical status BEFORE ending up in a chamber. My PMD agreed. Ignorance Kills!

[debersole]

I would be careful recommending closing "asymptomatic" PFOs in divers. In general, the risk of DCI is about 2 per 10,000 dives (at least for recreational diving). It is assumed that having a PFO increases that number by about 5 fold. While that sounds bad, that is still an absolute risk of only 10 per 10,000 dives or 1 per 1000. The risk of significant complications from closing a PFO is probably about 1%. That means you would be taking a 1 in 100 risk of a problem to avoid a problem that only carries a 1 in 1000 risk of occurring. Not the odds I would want to take. And I "walk the walk". I'm a tech diving/cave diving/CCR diving cardiologist who closes PFOs as part of my job yet I've never been tested for a PFO as I've never had an unexpected DCI event.

[gschaut]

I would be careful recommending closing "asymptomatic" PFOs in divers.

Closing a PFO is only one option. Being aware of it is number one concern. Other options include (as previously mentioned) avoiding certain stress situations, getting doppler test performed immediately after dive to determine silent bubble gas loading (actual, not theoretical), running dive profile extra conservative, avoiding all but very short deco, staying away from deco, and running all dives non-deco, giving up diving and taking up basket weaving.

Waiting until AFTER an adverse event is reactive, not proactive.