Improved Therapies For Decompression Sickness And Air Embolism

The evolution of the recognition and treatment of diving-related illnesses is traced over the past 150 years. Improvements in morbidity and mortality began with the introduction of standard air treatment tables by the U.S. Navy. Following a historical recommendation and limited practical experience that oxygen may be beneficial, the U.S. Navy produced treatment tables which were in common use until about 20 years ago when further research produced minimal recompression oxygen tables that revolutionized conventional treatment. Concurrent advances in pathophysiological knowledge have resulted in a better understanding of the disease and a logical application of therapeutic agents. Recent research has implicated the prostaglandin system. Therapeutic manipulation of this system has been shown to improve blood flow and promote functional recovery in ischemic neurons. This offers hope for improving the outcome of diving illnesses in those patients who fail to respond to conventional therapy.