| Anemia, Diving and Hyperbarics |
Blood
Donation and Diving
Hematological Effects of DCS
The
acute phase of decompression
sickness is characterized by a marked shortening
of clotting time and a
thrombocytopenia (low platelet count) with accompanying increased
platelet aggregates. The
recovery phase is categorized by a variety
of hematological and
bio-chemical changes.
Hemodilution (thinning of the blood), an elevated
megathrombocyte (large platelet precursor cells) index,
and a tendency toward eosinopenia (low eosinophil white cells) were evident
for most of the 10-day observation period.
Other persistent alterations
detected during this period included a relative hyperglycemia (high blood sugar),
depressed
urine sodium/potassium ratio and increased ketosteroid excretion. These observations
indicate that abatement of pain after treatment of dysbarism can be
followed
by the onset of a variety of biochemical and hematological changes.
Moreover,
complete recovery may require upwards of 10 days.
Title
Biochemistry and hematology at
decompression sickness: a case
report.
Author Jacey MJ; Heyder E; Williamson RA; Tappan DV
Source Aviat Space Environ Med, 47(6):657-61 1976 Jun
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