Deutsche medizinische Wochenschrift
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The foramen ovale which is the fetal connection between the right and left atrium persists in about 30 % of the adult population. In the presence of a persistent foramen ovale (PFO) shunting of blood may occur from the right to the left atrium, and bubbles can reach the systemic circulation during or after the decompression phase of a dive with compressed air. Therefore, divers with PFO may have an increased risk to develop ischemic cerebral lesions and neurologic decompression sickness (DCS). ⋯ Therefore, it remains in the diver's choice to be screened for PFO. Divers with a history of DCS should be monitored for PFO, especially when diving strictly adhered to decompression tables. Divers with PFO who refuse to stop diving after DCS should be advised to adhere to very save dive profiles.