Formed to consolidate recent research, the group assessed data on DCS during extravehicular activity prebreathe testing and inflight thrombotic events, integrating findings from previous NASA studies dated 2024 and 2026. They focused on risk mitigation, particularly regarding PFO closure procedures, and updated standards governing astronaut selection and health protocols under hypoxic conditions expected in future habitats.
The consensus concluded that PFO presence is not a major risk factor for VTE or embolism complications during spaceflight, recommending no changes to astronaut selection criteria based on PFO status. They also advised that ground studies should not exclude participants solely for detecting lung venous gas emboli (LVGE) but should instead inform subjects of associated risks while maintaining study representativeness.
Source & further reading
Risks of Decompression Sickness and Venous Thromboembolism during Spaceflight and Patent Foramen Ovale Implications ↗Source published 2026-09-22. This report was prepared with AI assistance from the linked primary-source material. Claims and limitations should be checked against the original announcement or research.