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Decompression illness (Clinical features (May occur up to 48hrs after…
Decompression illness
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Pathophysiology
Henry's Law - volume of a dissolved gas in solution is proportional to the partial pressure of that gas at a given temp
Breathing gases at increased ambient pressure will increase the amount of gas dissolved in the body tissues
On ascent, the excess gas has to be given up
If ascent is slow, elimination will be via the resp system
If ascent is too fast, excess gas may come out of solution and form bubbles in the tissues and circulation
Bubbles may contain any of the gases in the breathing mix. No prob with 02 - absorbed. Big prob with Nitrogen/Helium which are inert and fixed - these bubbles may act as venous emboli or may trigger inflamm tissue responses
Management
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Evacuation
Avoid ascent to high altitude: flights shoulfd be <500m unless the cabin is pressurised to sea level
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