Surface tension and bubble formation after decompression in the pig
A. Hjelde, S. Koteng, O. Eftedal & A. O. Brubakk

Following decompression, there is a considerable difference in detected venous gas emboli (VGE) between individuals; this study is an exploration of the role surface tension may play in the differences. We measured serum surface tension in 26 anesthetized pigs before (predive) and after a dive (postdive) to 300 kPa for 3 hours. Gas bubbles in the pulmonary artery were monitored continuously from the beginning of decompression and continued throughout 120 minutes after the dive. Maximum bubble levels were reached about 30 minutes after surfacing. Predive surface tension was significantly higher than postdive values (66.8 ± 1.0 dynes/cm, n=26) vs. (66.4 ± 1.0 dynes/cm, n=26). We found a significant negative correlation between predive surface tension and the number of bubbles that were generated as a result of the dive. A significant negative correlation was also observed between the generated vascular bubbles and postdive surface tension. We conclude that small surface tension differences between individuals may influence vascular bubble formation, and that formation of VGE may itself lower surface tension.

Keywords: decompression, diving, surface tension, venous gas emboli

Applied Cardiopulmonary Pathophysiology 9: 47-52, 2000

Astrid Hjelde
SINTEF Unimed
Extreme Work Environment
N-7465 Trondheim
Norway
Phone: 47-73598910
Fax: 47-73591005
E-mail: astrid.hjelde@unimed.sintef.no