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Venous gas emboli are involved in post-dive macro, but not microvascular dysfunction

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Abstract

Purpose

Previous studies have shown vascular dysfunction of main conductance arteries and microvessels after diving. We aim to evaluate the impact of bubble formation on vascular function and haemostasis. To achieve this, we used a vibration preconditioning to influence bubble levels without changing any other parameters linked to the dive.

Methods

Twentty-six divers were randomly assigned to one of three groups: (1) the “vibrations–dive” group (VD; n = 9) was exposed to a whole-body vibration session 30 min prior the dive; (2) the “diving” group (D; n = 9) served as a control for the effect of the diving protocol; (3) The “vibration” protocol (V; n = 8) allowed us to assess the effect of vibrations without diving. Macro- and microvascular function was assessed for each subject before and after the dive, subsequently. Bubble grades were monitored with Doppler according to the Spencer grading system. Blood was taken before and after the protocol to assess any change of platelets or endothelial function.

Results

Bubble formation was lower in the VD than the diving group. The other measured parameters remained unchanged after the “vibration” protocol alone. Diving alone induced macrovascular dysfunction, and increased PMP and thrombin generation. Those parameters were no longer changed in the VD group. Conversely, a microvascular dysfunction persists despite a significant decrease of circulating bubbles.

Conclusions

Finally, the results of this study suggest that macro- but not microvascular impairment results at least partly from bubbles, possibly related to platelet activation and generation of pro-coagulant microparticles.

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Acknowledgements

This work is part of the PHYPODE European network. This study was supported by the European Commission under the FP7-PEOPLE-2010-ITN program (Grant Agreement No. 264816).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. ORPHY Laboratory, UBO, 6 avenue Le Gorgeu, 29200, Brest, France

    Kate Lambrechts, Michaël Theron, Marc Belhomme & François Guerrero

  2. IRBA-ERRSO, Armed Forces Biomedical Research Institute-Resident Operational Subaquatic Research Team, Toulon, BP 610, 83800, Toulon, France

    Kate Lambrechts

  3. Environmental and Occupational Physiology Laboratory (ISEK), Haute Ecole Bruxelles-Brabant (HE2B), 1160, Brussels, Belgium

    Costantino Balestra

  4. Hyperbaric Medicine Unit, CHRU Cavale Blanche, 29200, Brest, France

    Anne Henckes

  5. Hematology Laboratory, CHRU Cavale Blanche, 29200, Brest, France

    Hubert Galinat & Fanny Mignant

  6. Hyperbaric Medicine and Diving Expertise Department, Military Teaching Hospital, HIA Sainte Anne, BP 610, 83000, Toulon, France

    Jean-Michel Pontier

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  1. Kate Lambrechts
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  2. Costantino Balestra
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Correspondence to François Guerrero.

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Communicated by Guido Ferretti.

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Lambrechts, K., Balestra, C., Theron, M. et al. Venous gas emboli are involved in post-dive macro, but not microvascular dysfunction. Eur J Appl Physiol 117, 335–344 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-017-3537-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-017-3537-9

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