Air versus He-O2 Recompression Treatment of Decompression Sickness in Guinea Pigs
Abstract
Air vs. He-O2 (20.9% O2) recompression treatment was examined in a model of severe decompression sickness (DCS) using male albino guinea pigs. Following decompression to the surface from simulated air dives at 200 or 250 fsw, both anesthetized and unanesthetized animals often exhibited responses indicative of a fatal bout of DCS (including hypotension, cardiac arrhythmia, and tachypnea). Upon recompression with air back to depth, good recovery animals with DCS was observed. Comparison of air vs. He-O2 recompression responses of unanesthetized animals with recompression back to initial depth (200 fsw) revealed a slower recovery from tachypnea with He-O2. Recompression partially back to depth following 200-fsw dives produced significant differences in the breathing recovery vs. recompression depth relationship between air and He-O2. Treatment effectiveness improved with increasing depth with air, but not with He-O2. These data indicate potential differences in recompression response to air vs. He-O2 when using ventilatory recovery as a measure of effectiveness in treatment of DCS in guinea pigs following air dives. Keywords: Gas bubbles; Hyperbaric conditions; Diving; Inert gas; Reprints. (kt)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1988
- Accession Number
- ADA202277
Entities
People
- M. E. Maccallum
- R. B. Pitkin
- R. S. Lillo
Organizations
- Naval Medical Research Center