Summer - United States Special Operations Command

Arterial Compliance in Divers Exposed to Repeated Hyperoxia UsingRebreather EquipmentGole, Yoann; Rossi, Pascal; Fontanari, Pierre; Gavarry, Olivier; Boussuges, AlainAviation, Space, and Environmental Medicine, Volume 80, Number 5, May 2009 , pp. 482-484(3)ABSTRACTBackground: Acute hyperoxic exposure is known to modify cardiovascular parameters like a decrease in cardiacoutput, arterial vasoconstriction, and autonomic nervous system changes. We hypothesized that repeatedhyperbaric hyperoxic exposures, as experienced by military oxygen divers, lead to long-term arterial alterations.Methods: Arterial blood pressure measurements and pulse wave velocity (PWV) recordings were performed duringbasal conditions in 15 elite military oxygen divers, and compared to 15 non-diver controls. The two groupswere matched appropriately for physical characteristics (age: 35 ± 5 yr, weight: 77 ± 8 kg, height: 177 ± 6 cm,body mass index: 24.6 ± 2.0 kg • m−2), and aerobic capacity (o2max: 52 ± 7 ml • min−1 • kg−1). Results: No significant difference was found in systolic blood pressure (120 ± 11mmHg), diastolic blood pressure (70 ± 8 mmHg), or pulse pressure (50 ± 7 mmHg). Furthermore, there was nosignificant difference in the carotid-femoral PWV (6.7 ± 0.9 m • s−1), the carotid-radial PWV (8.7 ± 1.7 m • s−1),or the carotid-pedal PWV (8.1 ± 1.1 m • s−1) between divers and controls. Conclusion: No difference in arterialcompliance was observed in physically well-trained military oxygen divers in comparison with matchedcontrols.Suicide among Discharged Psychiatric Inpatients in theDepartment of Veterans AffairsRani A. Desai, PhD; David Dausey, PhD; Robert A. Rosenheck, MDMilitary Medicine Vol 173, No 8 August 2008ABSTRACTObjective: The objective of this study was to explore correlates of the use of firearms to commit suicide. Methods:A national sample of psychiatric patients discharged from Department of Veterans Affairs medical centerswas followed from the time of discharge until December 1999. The study explores state-level measures as correlatesof overall suicide and suicide by firearm, controlling for individual sociodemographic characteristics andpsychiatric diagnosis. The outcomes of interest were completed suicide and suicide by firearm. Results: Patientswho were male, Caucasian, and who had a diagnosis of substance abuse or post-traumatic stress disorderwere significantly more likely to use a firearm than another means to commit suicide. Multivariable models indicatedthat Veterans living in states with lower rates of gun ownership, more restrictive gun laws, and highersocial capital were less likely to commit suicide with a firearm. Conclusions: Gun ownership rates, legislation,and levels of community cohesiveness are significantly associated with the likelihood of psychiatric patientscommitting suicide with a gun.56Journal of Special Operations Medicine Volume 9, Edition 3 / Summer 09