Screening test for decompression sickness.

The fibrin-fibrinogen degradation products (FDP) tests were studied in 18 patients having a history of illness associated with diving. FDP tests were performed prior to hyperbaric oxygen therapy (OHP). Eight patients were serious neurologic signs had positive FDP tests and required repetitive therapy. Six patients had negative FDP tests with local musculoskeletal complaints and all were asymptomatic following the first OHP treatment. Three patients were found to be suffering from other diseases. These three patients had normal levels of FDP. One patient treated at another facility 3 months earlier and having paraplegia had a positive FDP test. Serious decompression sickness with neurologic complaints appear to have some degree of disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) as reflected by the FDP tests. The FDP test appears to be a useful screening test that may be able to delineate therapy.