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Publication AbstractsDecrease in Platelet Count during Saturation DivingHideharu Domoto, M.D., Kazuhiko Nakabayashi, B.S., Akio Hashimoto, Ph.D., Shinya Suzuki, M.D., Ph.D. and Tsutomu Kitamura, M.D., Ph.D.Aviat Space Environ Med 2001; 72:380-4 AbstractBackground: The change in platelet count (PC) occurring during saturation diving has rarely been discussed. We set out to clarify the details of this change in PC, and its relationship with: i) the storage depth and duration of the saturation dive, and ii) the presence of decompression bubbles. Methods: In a total of 42 divers, the change in PC was measured in 8 simulated saturation dives (1992-1998) using a Deep Diving Simulator with decompression procedures based on the modified DUKE-GKSS schedule. Blood samples were taken before the dive, at the bottom (twice), during decompression, on surfacing, and about 1 wk after surfacing. Decompression bubbles were examined by ultrasonic M-mode echocardiography. Results: PC (mean ± SD x 104 · µl-1) was 23.9 ± 4.85, 24.9 ± 4.9, 24.2 ± 4.8, 19.2 ± 4.4*, 20.1 ± 4.5*, 25.0 ± 5.1 on the occasions listed above (*= p < 0.05 vs. pre-dive). The PC showed no correlation with either storage depth or dive duration. Decompression bubbles were detected during decompression in only 2 divers (4.8%), and the bubbles disappeared immediately after surfacing. In these 2 divers the decreases in PC values from baseline to the middle of decompression and on surfacing were 2 and 2.7 x 104 · µl-1, and 3.4 and 1.7 x 104 · µl-1 respectively. No diver complained of decompression sickness. Conclusion: The magnitude of the decrease in PC (< 5 x 104 · µl-1) and the time to recover to the pre-dive value (< 1 wk) suggests that changes in PC during saturation diving should not cause any clinical problems. The mechanisms underlying the decrease in PC remain unclear.Keywords: platelet count, saturation dive, decompression bubbles, M-mode echocardiography Information on subscribing, and on obtaining copies of an article or of an entire issue. Table of Contents for Volume 72, Number 4 of the ASME journal.
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