Recreational scuba diving in patients with congenital heart disease: Time for new guidelines - Université de Rennes Access content directly
Journal Articles Archives of cardiovascular diseases Year : 2016

Recreational scuba diving in patients with congenital heart disease: Time for new guidelines

Abstract

The number of recreational scuba divers is steadily increasing. In its latest recommendations, the French Federation of Undersea Studies and Sports listed congenital heart disease as a formal and final contraindication to scuba diving. On the other hand, with the progress made in their management, the prognosis and quality of life of patients with congenital heart diseases have improved considerably, enabling them to engage in physical and sports endeavours, which are known to confer general health and psychological benefits. As a consequence, the ability of these patients to dive has become a regular and recurrent issue. We review the various types of scuba diving, the physical performance required for its practice, its effects on cardiovascular function and the elements that need to be considered before recommending whether it can be practiced safely at various levels of difficulty. Because of the diversity and broad heterogeneity of congenital heart diseases, a detailed evaluation of each-patient's performance based on clinical criteria common to all congenital heart diseases is recommended. (C) 2016 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

Dates and versions

hal-01397551 , version 1 (16-11-2016)

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Jean-Marc Schleich, Frédéric Schnell, Benoit Brouant, Gerald Phan, Vincent Lafay, et al.. Recreational scuba diving in patients with congenital heart disease: Time for new guidelines. Archives of cardiovascular diseases, 2016, 109 (8-9), pp.504--510. ⟨10.1016/j.acvd.2016.02.003⟩. ⟨hal-01397551⟩
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