Abstract 11790: Echocardiography is Able to Detect Morphological and Functional Changes of the Right Heart in Sport Scuba Divers

Introduction: Scuba diving represents stressful event for cardiovascular system. Breathing with compressed air, hyperbaric environment and microbubbles formation are the main factors are the most influencing factors for pulmonary circulation. Hypothesis: The aim of the study was to evaluate the change in morphology and function of the right heart after scuba dive with compressed air. Methods: Ten healthy sport divers (2 woman, 8 men, average age 42.1 ± 4.1 yrs., 21-52yrs) performed one scuba dive with compressed air (the depth was 20 meters, bottom tine 20 minutes, one safety stop at 3 m, water temperature 15°C). Echocardiography was performed just before and immediately after the dive, and every 60 minutes after surfacing with the aim to evaluate the presence of microbubbles (iVivid, GE). Results: After the dive, left atrium, right ventricle and inferior vena cava diameters significantly decreased (LA: 30.4±2.1 vs. 27.1±1.2 mm, p<0.05; RV: 27.8±2.1 vs. 25.2±1.1mm, p<0.05; IVC: 19.3±1.1 vs. 17.6±0.9 mm, p...