Oxygen, the lung and the diver: friends and foes?. (December 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: van Ooij, Pieter-Jan A.M.; Sterk, Peter J.; van Hulst, Robert A.
• Is Part Of: European respiratory review. Volume 25:Number 142(2016)
• Page Start: 496
• Page End: 505
• Publication Date: 2016-12
• Subjects: Respiratory organs -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Respiratory Tract Diseases; Respiratory organs -- Diseases; Respiratory organs -- Diseases -- Treatment; Electronic journals; Periodical; Periodicals; Periodicals; 616.2
• DOI: 10.1183/16000617.0049-2016
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0905-9180

Abstract

Worldwide, the number of professional and sports divers is increasing. Most of them breathe diving gases with a raised partial pressure of oxygen ( P O2 ). However, if the P O2 is between 50 and 300 kPa (375–2250 mmHg) (hyperoxia), pathological pulmonary changes can develop, known as pulmonary oxygen toxicity (POT). Although in its acute phase, POT is reversible, it can ultimately lead to non-reversible pathological changes. Therefore, it is important to monitor these divers to prevent them from sustaining irreversible lesions. This review summarises the pulmonary pathophysiological effects when breathing oxygen with a P O2 of 50–300 kPa (375–2250 mmHg). We describe the role and the limitations of lung function testing in monitoring the onset and development of POT, and discuss new techniques in respiratory medicine as potential markers in the early development of POT in divers. To prevent the early development of pulmonary oxygen toxicity divers must be properly monitored http://ow.ly/RVJL301fySb