Blood Platelets and Decompression Accidents in the Rat. Therapeutic Trials

The pathogenesis of decompression accidents involves particularly disseminated vascular microthrombi composed of platelets clumps, lipids and red blood cells grouped around air microbubbles. In rat, the role of platelets, after rapid decompression (1 bar/20 sec. after being kept at 8 ATA for one hour), is investigated by means of filtration pressure measurements and PRP platelet counts. With decompression accidents, a rise in filtration pressure is observed but there is, above all, a 51% decrease in platelet counts due to disseminated platelet aggregates formed. After slow decompression, there is also a moderate depression (15%) of platelet levels, these not rising until the third day. In order to inhibit platelet aggregation, we used injectable anti-aggregating agents: Aspirin (20 mg/kg) Diamicron (50 mg/kg), S 2574 (100 mg/kg) before and after decompression and for the following three days. The best results were had with S 2574 which prevented fall in platelet levels. Parallely, mortality is reduced if the injection is given before rapid decompression.

These results confirm the importance of platelets in decompression accidents. These therapeutic trials allow to consider the use of these products in human therapy.