Scuba diving with Polycythemia Vera

[Dane12]

Dear all,Does anyone know if there are any limitations in doing scuba diving when having PV? I am CHR, with no prior thrombosis.

Thank you in advance for your feedback.

[hunter5582]

My MPN Specialist cleared me for scuba div8ng with PV. I did not ask but would be cautious with deep sea diving. That could have higher risk.

[Dane12 in reply to hunter5582]

Thank you!

[Loubprv Volunteer in reply to hunter5582]

Morning Hunter

One of my Mpn buddies asked me if hyperbaric oxygen chambers would help PV or myelofibrosis. I ve never heard of them.

Thanks Louise UK

[hunter5582 in reply to Loubprv]

The short answer is no, hyperbaric chambers would not help PV. It seems plausible that it could affect secondary polycythemia but I have not heard of it being used that way.

The long answer is that erythropoiesis is driven by the body's need for oxygen. Hypoxemia triggers the release of erythropoietin , which in turn is the triggers the sequence for the production of red blood cells, that starts with hematopoietic stem cells. This is the normal sequence. With PV, the JAK2 mutation causes the hematopoietic stem cells to self-phosphorylate. The sequence of blood cell production occurs without the normal trigger of EPO. In essence, the "on-switch" is always "on." Most people with PV have low or low-normal EPO while having erythrocytosis. Increasing oxygen levels would have little impact on erythropoiesis since the issue is driven by deregulation of the JAK-STAT pathway caused by the JAK2 mutation.

All the best.

[Loubprv Volunteer in reply to hunter5582]

Thanks so much. Will pass on. Kind regards Louise