Diving After Being Diagnosed with PE

[02gluken]

I have recently returned from a dive trip in Indoneisia. About a week after returning, I noticed an extreme shortness of breath. Was concerned, but not overly. About 2 days later it occurred again, now it got my attention. I went to the ER and was diagnosed with PE in both lungs. I have been put on blood thinner for at least 3 months. I have been researching, but no clear cut answers if I will be able to dive again. I have contacted a local Dive Physician recommended by DAN and will be setting up an appointment in about 3 to 6 months for an evaluation. Has anyone else experienced this and been able to return to diving?

 

[Duke Dive Medicine]

02gluken,

A lot would depend on the etiology of the clot(s). What are your medical team's thoughts on where and how the emboli originated?

Best regards,
DDM

 

[02gluken]

Medical team have no idea of cause or origin. Tend to think DVT from long flights broke up and ended in clots. About 3rd day of trip had real bad pain, in Left heel area, similar pain I had with Plantier Facia that foot. Quit walking barefoot on liveaboard and wore tennis shoe, took ibuprofin and was pretty well gone in a couple of days. Had ultrasound that leg and no evidence of a clot.

 

[02gluken]

I was concerned of possible clot because 3 years earlier had DVT in right leg, no idea of cause or origin, however did not see any swelling or calf or leg pain this time like I did last time.

 

[02gluken]

Making appointment with Keith Van Meter, supposed to be one of the best in New Orleans area.

 

[Duke Dive Medicine]

Making appointment with Keith Van Meter, supposed to be one of the best in New Orleans area.

Good call.

Best regards,
DDM

 

[Dr Simon Mitchell]

Hello,

There are 3 concerns that you should discuss with Keith.

First, you have had multiple DVTs. This raises concerns about a thrombophilia (an underlying condition that predisposes to clot formation). Although not definitively proven, there are hypothetical concerns that such conditions may increase the risk of serious spinal decompression sickness.

Second, you are going to be anticoagulated for a while. Opinions vary about diving while anticoagulated but there are some potential reasons why you shouldn't, including the risk of increased bleeding in trauma, barotrauma, and some forms of tissue damage in decompression sickness.

Third, a PE can cause lung tissue damage. I am aware of one case exactly like yours where the diver returned to diving and suffered pulmonary barotrauma and an arterial gas embolism because of a change in the lung anatomy caused by the PE. I am trying to find the time to write that case up. I would strongly recommend a high resolution CT scan to rule out any gas trapping lesions in the lung that may have been caused by the PE.

Simon M

 

[02gluken]

Had appointment with pulminologist today and to my surprise she too is a diver. She said should be able to return to diving in 6 months.Pons are for echo of heart and good work to ensure do not have a blood flirting issue with blood. First clot 2 years ago wasn't a DVT, but clot in a superficial vein called the saphenous vein. She feels this was a provoked DVT, long flight, not an unprovoked, which would be more concerning. Still plan on seeing Van Meter.

 

[Blastman4444]

Good friend of mine had DVT right leg after a week in the hospital he was on long term blood thinner after several months he asked his doctor if he could stop the coumadin the doctor said he could he looked good within 2 months he was short of breath had PE in both lungs this time he was about an hour away from death was in the ICU for 3 days now he has to be on blood thinner coumadin for rest of his life. He had shortness of breath but didn't realize it was PE thought it was a bad cold we went to dinner he was describing it to me I didn't put it together I just got over a bad chest cold as well.