Port-a-cath

[SubQ]

Hi all,

I have a port-a-cath and I was wondering if that poses any problems for diving. I could not think of any reason myself, but I thought I'd check it out anyway. So does anyone have an idea about this?
cheers,
SubQ

P.S. This port thing is a subcutaneosly implanted device that gives direct access to the bloodstream, but there is no contact with the "outside world".

 

[beche de mer]

Hi all,

I have a port-a-cath and I was wondering if that poses any problems for diving. I could not think of any reason myself, but I thought I'd check it out anyway. So does anyone have an idea about this?
cheers,
SubQ

P.S. This port thing is a subcutaneosly implanted device that gives direct access to the bloodstream, but there is no contact with the "outside world".

I can't think of any clear reason why the presence of a catheter in the venous blood stream could cause problems, other than possibly act as a nucleus for bubble formation. Also, the part of the device just under the skin could also promote bubble formation. But these are only theoretical considerations which you could get around by being especially cautious with bottom times and rate of ascent.

I guess the important issue is the underlying medical condition which requires the catheter.

 

[miguel sanz]

I guess the important issue is the underlying medical condition which requires the catheter.

This is probably the key although I would like a diving doc to tell us. A problem that I could see is moisture of the skin with pression by the suit+/-bc... could cause skin ulcers around the device.

 

[chuckrt]

I would be more concerned with the reason / need for the cath and it's restraints on diving. I don't think you need to get into the reason here but talk to a diving physician about this.

chuckrt

 

[Dive Diva]

I don't see any reason for the port itself to limit your diving as long as it is not accessed at the time. I do, however, think that the underlying health problem that caused the need for the catheter in the first place would probably be more reason for concern than anything. I also agree with previous posts that you should consult a physician that specializes in dive medicine or at the very least, the surgeon who implanted the port. If they say all things are go, then more power to you and I hope you enjoy a return to diving! :happywave

 

[SubQ]

Hi all,

Thanks for the comments.
I completely agree with you that the important thing is the underlying medical condition, and I am putting a serious amount of effort in sorting out if it is compatible with a life in diving.
With respect to the port I was more concerned about stuff like bubble formation than anything else. It would have been so silly to have spent such an amount of time investigating the "dive-okay-ness" of all the meds and then get bent because of the port.. :confused_
I will talk to the surgeon of course, but it is good to hear from people who have had experience with, well, diving, in contrast to a lot of the regular docs.
Anyway, thanks!
SubQ

 

[beche de mer]

Hi all,

With respect to the port I was more concerned about stuff like bubble formation than anything else. It would have been so silly to have spent such an amount of time investigating the "dive-okay-ness" of all the meds and then get bent because of the port.. :confused_
I will talk to the surgeon of course, but it is good to hear from people who have had experience with, well, diving, in contrast to a lot of the regular docs.
Anyway, thanks!
SubQ

I think any risk is theoretical rather than actual. As I said earlier, the catheter may act as a nucleus for bubbling but if you're extra-conservative I don't foresee any problems. A bit of bubbling on the venous side of the circulation would be filtered out by the lungs and wouldn't get to the arterial circulation unless you have a PFO or some other sort of right-to-left shunt.

But you need to discuss this face-to-face with a diving doc.

 

[SubQ]

gle: I see,
I will discuss it with doc, don't worry, thanks, though.
Cheers
SubQ