A 41-year-old male scuba diver ascends rapidly following equipment malfunction. He presents with acute dyspnea, dizziness, severe shoulder and knee pain, and skin mottling. Vital signs show BP 118/76, HR 112, RR 22, SpO2 88% on room air. Chest X-ray reveals pulmonary edema. Serum nitrogen levels are markedly elevated. He denies recent decompression illness. Arterial blood gas shows hypoxemia without hypercapnia. Which mechanism best explains his clinical presentation?
- A)Fibrin thrombi due to sepsis
- B)Nitrogen gas bubble formation in blood and tissuesGABARITO
- C)Cholesterol crystal embolization
- D)Platelet rich microthrombi from ADAMTS13 deficiency
- E)Septic emboli from endocarditis
Explicação
Rapid decompression causes dissolved nitrogen to come out of solution and form gas bubbles in blood and tissues. These bubbles obstruct vessels and damage tissue, producing decompression sickness with joint pain, neurologic symptoms, and respiratory compromise... Ver explicação completa e trilha adaptativa →