Lou Vallone was informing Ernest about PFO and:
LV>It is an incomplete closure of the heart between chambers. All of
LV>us are born with it in the womb, some estimates range as high as
LV>20 % of us still carry a bit of it after birth. This short
LV>circuits the off-gassing process, which often results in what
LV>was once called "undeserved" hits, and is now referred to as
LV>"unpredicted" hits. Sounds like that is what happened to your
LV>wife. If in fact she does have PFO, even diving Nitrox will
LV>carry a higher risk, even if air tables are used.
Generally an EchoCardigram is used to check for a PFO or other
structural defects in the heart.  It is done with a sonice
tranducer/receiver.  It is painless, external and causes no pain or
problem for the person being examined.
I had it done, only problem I expereinced was the cold jelly used on the
transducer.
I do agree with Lou, lots of "undeserved" DCS hits are often found to be
attributed to a PFO.  DAN's statitiscis reflect this.
 CARL
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 * SLMR 2.1a * Clay, WV-First National Opossum Refuge
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