Patent foramen ovale is experiencing much clinical interest as a congenital cardiac lesion that persists up to adulthood. It is a risk factor for several serious clinical syndromes, including decompression sickness in divers. This paper reviews current knowledge of this interesting lesion concerning scuba diving, summarizes diagnostic and therapeutic directions, and recommendation with the aim to minimalize its impact.

        Key words: foramen ovale patent, decompression, diving, diagnostics, therapy, recommendations