Arterial blood gases' analysis in elite breath-hold divers at extreme depths

Review Physiology

Blood gas analyses in hyperbaric and underwater environments: a systematic review

Matteo Paganini et al.

Summary: Pulmonary gas exchange during diving or in a dry hyperbaric environment is influenced by increased breathing gas density and water immersion. Studies have shown that arterial PO2 under hyperbaric conditions can be predicted from blood gas measurements at 1 atmosphere, with consistent arterial/alveolar PO2 ratios. The findings suggest that pulmonary oxygenation under hyperbaric conditions can be reliably predicted from 1 ATA a:A measurements.

JOURNAL OF APPLIED PHYSIOLOGY (2022)

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Article Physiology

Arterial blood gas measurements during deep open-water breath-hold dives

Tom Scott et al.

Summary: Arterial blood gas measurements were obtained during extreme deep free dives, showing significant changes in both oxygen and carbon dioxide partial pressure during descent and ascent. These findings support previous observations in less extreme diving environments.

JOURNAL OF APPLIED PHYSIOLOGY (2021)

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Article Public, Environmental & Occupational Health

Haemoptysis in breath-hold divers; where does it come from?

Igor Barkovic et al.

Summary: Two elite breath-hold divers presented with haemoptysis after deep dives, and bronchoscopy revealed blood traces coming from the apical parts of their lungs, suggesting a higher vulnerability to deep-dive induced damage in this area. The precise mechanism of lung barotrauma and haemoptysis in breath-hold divers remains unclear, but these findings contribute to a better understanding of the underlying pathology of haemoptysis.

DIVING AND HYPERBARIC MEDICINE (2021)

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Review Respiratory System