A History of Hyperbaric Medicine

The history of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) makes for fascinating reading. From pneumatic chambers and compressed air baths to empirical therapeutic applications during the nineteenth century, the impetus to scientific application of HBOT began in seeking solution for decompression sickness during various construction ventures. French physiologist Paul Bert’s research was pathbreaking and provided a scientific explanation on the etiology of the “bends.” In 1908, JS Haldane’s experiments recommended staged decompression and made diving safe. In 1921, OJ Cunningham employed HBOT to treat hypoxia secondary to lung infections successfully. It was cardiac surgeon Ite Boerema who put HBOT on a solid footing with his open-heart surgery results in various pediatric cardiac conditions and rightly deserved the title of father of modern-day hyperbaric medicine. From 1937 onwards, HBOT research snowballed into treating a wide variety of diseases. In 1999, the Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society and Food and Drug Administration recognized the value of HBOT, and this led to its becoming a major tool in the armamentarium of clinicians, either as a primary or adjunctive therapy for a spectrum of diseases.

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Hyperbaric oxygen therapy awareness within a doctor population

Undersea and Hyperbaric Medicine ◽

10.22462/01.03.2020.5 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 39-50

Author(s):

Kurt Magri ◽

◽

Sarah Bigeni ◽

Charles Paul Azzopardi ◽

Liberato Camilleri ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Hyperbaric Oxygen ◽

Linear Models ◽

Scoring Systems ◽

Blind Spot ◽

Developed Country ◽

Referral Rates ◽

Logistic Regression Models ◽

History Of ◽

Hyperbaric Medicine ◽

Willingness To Refer

Hyperbaric medicine is a relatively young specialty that remains in the blind spot of most doctors’ awareness. This study endeavors to identify the level of awareness of the indications for hyperbaric oxygen (HBO2) therapy among a doctor population in a developed country and factors which may improve referral rates. An anonymized questionnaire was distributed to doctors licensed to practice in Malta. Questions included physician specialty, demographics and previous exposure to diving and/or hyperbaric medicine. Moreover, two scoring systems were used to score subjects on HBO2-related topics. Binomial logistic regression models and generalized linear models were used in the statistical analysis. A total of 152 full replies were obtained and analyzed. Respondents who had visited a hyperbaric unit (HBU) (p=0.002) or attended a lecture on HBO2 (p=0.006) scored better than their counterparts, indicating better awareness of HBO2 indications and local chamber location. A previous HBU visit (p=0.001), being a hospital-based doctor (p=0.027) and a history of scuba diving (p=0.03) were associated with willingness to refer patients for HBO2 in the future. Encouraging visits to an HBU has been shown to be associated with multiple factors, which are expected to result in improved referral rates. Targeted educational sessions to doctors and medical students are likely to be beneficial in improving correct referral of patients for HBO2. The findings from this study may prove useful in improving appropriate referral rates of patients who may benefit from this useful treatment modality.

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HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE HYPERBARIC OXYGENATION

Journal of IMAB - Annual Proceeding (Scientific Papers) ◽

10.5272/jimab.2021272.3772 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 27 (2) ◽

pp. 3772-3777

Author(s):

Krasimira Tsankova ◽

◽

Mila Dimitrova ◽

Keyword(s):

Hyperbaric Oxygen ◽

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy ◽

Historical Development ◽

Oxygen Therapy ◽

Hyperbaric Oxygenation ◽

The Past ◽

History Of ◽

Hyperbaric Medicine ◽

Physical Laws ◽

Based Medicine

Background: Hyperbaric oxygenation (HBO) is a treatment in which a patient breathes near 100% oxygen within a chamber at a pressure greater than one atmosphere absolute (ATA). The development of hyperbaric medicine is continuous and associated with the history of underwater activities, the development of physical laws and physiological mechanisms of breathing. Purpose: The aim of this article is to present the development of hyperbaric oxygenation internationally and nationally. Materials and Methods: We have conducted a literature review of the published works on hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) during the last 100 years. Our survey includes scientific reports and books in English and Bulgarian. Results: Three main periods of the historical development of HBOT can be defined. In the past, HBO did not have much scientific support but is extensively used in the field of medicine. We observed an increase in scientific interest in HBO during the last two decades both in our country and worldwide. The majority of the reviewed articles contained information about different aspects of HBO as clinical uses, effects, risks. HBOT has been used as a primary and adjuvant treatment for a variety of diseases for nearly 50 years in Bulgaria. The main areas of application and researches of hyperbaric oxygen therapy include diving diseases, intoxications, traumatic injuries, soft tissue infections, diabetic foot, hearing loss, some neurological disorders, etc. Conclusion: Over the past decades, hyperbaric oxygen therapy has grown rapidly worldwide in accordance with evidence-based medicine methods, and future developments to expand the knowledge are perspective.

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