ABSTRACT
Non-smoking, male, professional firemen divers (n = 15) underwent two pulmonary function tests (PFT) separated by 6 years. Measured data were compared to European Coal Steel Community recommended reference values to permit cross-sectional and then longitudinal study. Higher vital capacity (VC; P < 0.01) and forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1; P < 0.05), and lower maximal mid-expiratory flow (MMEF) coefficient with VC (MMEF/VC; P < 0.05) were observed in both PFT. Diver's pulmonary diffusing capacity (DL(CO)) and the coefficient with alveolar volume (DL(CO)/V(A)) showed significantly (P < 0.001) different evolution profiles than those expected from predicted values. In divers, DL(CO) and DL(CO)/V(A) decreased from 104.0% to 91.4% and from 106.4% to 91.5% of predicted values respectively. Changes in DL(CO) and DL(CO)/V(A) correlated positively with the initial measurement of DL(CO) (r = 0.67, P < 0.01) and DL(CO)/V(A) (r = 0.74, P < 0.01) respectively, whereas no correlation between changes in pulmonary gas transfer function and age or diving history parameters was found. Thus, it is suggested from our observations that hyperbaric atmosphere exposure increases the effects of aging on pulmonary diffusing capacity and that pulmonary gas transfer function should be regularly tested in professional and recreational divers.
Subject(s)
Aging/physiology , Diving/physiology , Pulmonary Diffusing Capacity/physiology , Adult , Cross-Sectional Studies , Humans , Longitudinal Studies , MaleABSTRACT
Non smoking, male professional firemen-divers (n = 20) underwent two pulmonary function tests (PFT) separated by 8-9 years. Measured data were compared to European Coal Steel Community recommended reference values to permit cross-sectional and then longitudinal studies. Higher vital capacity (VC) and forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1; both P < 0.001), and lower residual volume (P < 0.01) were observed in both PFT. Longitudinal analysis showed a smaller VC reduction than FEV1 reduction, leading to a FEV1/VC percentage decrease with time. Maximal mid expiratory flow (MMEF) and MMEF/VC changes during this 9-year period showed an unusually pronounced decrease, suggesting possible chronic effects of diving on small airways. Thus, it is suggested from our observations that a hyperbaric stimulus compensates in part for the effects of aging on VC and that obstructive disease could occur in subjects with long diving experience.
Subject(s)
Lung/physiology , Adult , Carbon Monoxide , Diving , Humans , Longitudinal Studies , Male , Plethysmography, Whole Body , Pulmonary Diffusing Capacity , Respiratory Function Tests , Time FactorsABSTRACT
We are confronted with a considerable failure rate in the treatment of neurological decompression accidents. Facing the relatively poor knowledge about the physiopathological mechanisms involved, we present results obtained with our own treatment procedures. It consists mainly of a maximized oxygen therapy. Our conclusive results can be explained in retrospect by the works of Leitch and Hallenbeck.
Subject(s)
Decompression Sickness/therapy , Diving/adverse effects , Hyperbaric Oxygenation , Accidents , Adult , Age Factors , Central Nervous System Diseases/etiology , Decompression Sickness/complications , Humans , Risk FactorsABSTRACT
Quantitative EEG was recorded during 3 sessions, once a week, in 10 high-level amateur triathletes, who regularly competed in triathlon. At each session, the EEG was recorded 15 min after a submaximal exercise test. During the second session, the exercise test came immediately after 30 min of hyperbaric oxygenation (100% oxygen at 2 atmosphere absolute pressure). The others conditions of the EEG recording were the same for the 3 sessions. The purpose of the work was to study the variations of the EEG power spectrum (from 1 to 20 Hz) which occurred between the 3 sessions. Descriptive analysis of the results show, after hyperbaric oxygenation, a diffuse increase of absolute power for several frequencies in the theta, alpha and beta bands.
