Adjuvant hyperbaric oxygen treatment of acute brain herniation after microsurgical clipping of a recurring cerebral aneurysm: a case report

Introduction: Acute brain herniation is a life-threatening neurological condition that occasionally develops due to severe complications following cerebral aneurysm clipping. Strategies for managing acute brain herniation have not improved substantially during the past decade. Hyperbaric oxygen treatment (HBOT) may alleviate harmful effects of cerebral hypoxia, which is one of the most important pathophysiological features of acute brain herniation and, therefore, may be useful as an adjuvant therapy for acute brain herniation. A case treated with adjuvant HBOT is reported. Case report: A 60-year-old asymptomatic man presented with a recurring left middle cerebral artery bifurcation aneurysm with previous stent-assisted embolisation. After craniotomy for surgical clipping of the aneurysm, disturbance of consciousness and right hemiplegia occurred. Computed tomography (CT) images suggested simultaneous cerebral ischaemia and intracranial haemorrhage. Pharmacologic treatment resulted in no improvement. A CT scan acquired five days after surgery showed uncal and falcine herniation. HBOT was administered five days after surgery, and the patient’s condition dramatically improved. He became conscious, and his hemiplegia improved following seven sessions of HBOT. Simultaneously, CT images showed regression of the acute brain herniation. Conclusions: The patient had recovered completely at one year post-treatment. HBOT may be effective in the treatment of acute brain herniation following cerebral aneurysm clipping.

Nutritional status of patients referred for hyperbaric oxygen treatment; a retrospective and descriptive cross-sectional study

Introduction: Due to the global rise of obesity, the role of nutrition has gathered more attention. Paradoxically, even overweight persons may be malnourished. This may delay wound healing or recovery of late radiation tissue injury (LRTI). Hyperbaric oxygen treatment (HBOT) is used to improve wound healing or LRTI complaints. The aim of this study was to assess the dietary intake levels of nutrients important for recovery in patients referred for HBOT. Methods: This was a retrospective, cross-sectional study of patients referred for HBOT to a single centre between 2014 and 2019. Patients were offered a consultation with a dietitian as standard care. Information on nutrients was calculated from questionnaires, and compared to recommended daily allowances. Results: One hundred and forty-six patients were included (80 female). Eighteen patients were treated for diabetic ulcers, 25 for non-diabetic ulcers and 103 for LRTI. Most were overweight or obese (64.4%), but did not consume the recommended quantities of calories, protein, or micronutrients. Vitamin C consumption was higher than recommended. Male patients had a higher intake of calories and protein than female patients but not other nutrients. No differences in intake existed between age or body mass index categories. Conclusions: The nutritional status of patients referred for HBOT may be inadequate for healing wounds or LRTI, despite anthropomorphic data indicating a positive energy balance. Daily attendance for HBOT provides a unique opportunity to monitor and correct these deficiencies. Routine screening for malnutrition and supplement deficiencies is recommended for patients referred for HBOT.

Functional activity of platelets in aged patients with chronic heart failure with hyperbaric oxygenation

105 patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) with ischemic etiology of functional class were examined, among them 70 men (67%) and 35 women (33%), average age 78,67±13,80 years. A five-day course of hyperbaric oxygen treatment in the BLKS-303MK pressure chamber (Russia) in the 1.2 ATA with a 30-45 minutes session was accompanied by a study of the func-tional activity of platelets. It was found that after hyperbaric oxygenation treatment ADP-induced aggregation significantly decreased in women, spontaneous aggregation in men. How-ever, the nature of the response of platelet functional activity to hyperbaric oxygenation is af-fected by the initial state of the platelet hemostasis. Key words: platelets, hyperbaric oxygenation, platelet aggregation, heart failure, hemo-stasis.

Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatment: Effects on Mitochondrial Function and Oxidative Stress

Hyperbaric oxygen treatment (HBOT)—the administration of 100% oxygen at atmospheric pressure (ATA) greater than 1 ATA—increases the proportion of dissolved oxygen in the blood five- to twenty-fold. This increase in accessible oxygen places the mitochondrion—the organelle that consumes most of the oxygen that we breathe—at the epicenter of HBOT’s effects. As the mitochondrion is also a major site for the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), it is possible that HBOT will increase also oxidative stress. Depending on the conditions of the HBO treatment (duration, pressure, umber of treatments), short-term treatments have been shown to have deleterious effects on both mitochondrial activity and production of ROS. Long-term treatment, on the other hand, improves mitochondrial activity and leads to a decrease in ROS levels, partially due to the effects of HBOT, which increases antioxidant defense mechanisms. Many diseases and conditions are characterized by mitochondrial dysfunction and imbalance between ROS and antioxidant scavengers, suggesting potential therapeutic intervention for HBOT. In the present review, we will present current views on the effects of HBOT on mitochondrial function and oxidative stress, the interplay between them and the implications for several diseases.

Protective Effect of Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatment on Axon Degeneration after Acute Motor Axonal Neuropathy

Objectives. Acute motor axonal neuropathy (AMAN) is a disease that leads to acute flaccid paralysis and may result from the binding of antibody and antigen to the spinal cord. The objective of this study is to evaluate the protective effect of hyperbaric oxygen treatment (HBOT) on axon degeneration of the spinal cord and sciatic nerve of the AMAN model rabbit. Axonal degeneration was assessed by evaluating glutathione (GSH) activity, interleukin-1β (IL-1β) expression, and clinical and histopathological features. Methods. Twenty-one New Zealand rabbits were divided into three groups. The treatment group was exposed to 100% oxygen at 2.4 ATA 90 minutes for 10 days at a decompression rate of 2.9 pounds per square inch/minute. GSH level was evaluated using an enzyme-linked immune-sorbent assay. An expression of IL-1β in the spinal cord was determined by immunohistochemistry. Clinical appearances were done by motor scale and body weight. Histological features observed neuronal swelling and inflammatory infiltration in the sagittal lumbar region and the undulation of the longitudinal sciatic nerve. Results. Rabbits exposed to HBO had high GSH activity levels ( p < 0.05 ) but unexpectedly had high IL1β expression ( p > 0.05 ). In addition, the HBO-exposed rabbits had a better degree of undulation, the size of neuronal swelling was smaller, the number of macrophages was higher, and motor function was better than the AMAN model rabbits ( p < 0.05 ). Conclusions. These findings indicate that HBO therapy can decrease axon degeneration by triggering GSH activity, increasing IL-1β level, and restoring tissues and motor status. In conclusion, HBO has a protective effect on axon degeneration of the spinal cord and sciatic nerve of the AMAN model rabbit.

A Systematic Review to Assess the Impact of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy on Glycaemia in People with Diabetes Mellitus

Background and Objectives: Hyperbaric oxygen is a recognised treatment for a range of medical conditions, including treatment of diabetic foot disease. A number of studies have reported an impact of hyperbaric oxygen treatment on glycaemic control in patients undergoing treatment for diabetic foot disease. There has been no systematic review considering the impact of hyperbaric oxygen on glycaemia in people with diabetes. Materials and Methods: A prospectively PROSPERO-registered (PROSPERO registration: CRD42021255528) systematic review of eligible studies published in English in the PUBMED, MEDLINE, and EMBASE databases, based on the following search terms: hyperbaric oxygen therapy, HBO2, hyperbaric oxygenation, glycaemic control, diabetes, diabetes Mellitus, diabetic, HbA1c. Data extraction to pre-determined piloted data collection form, with individual assessment of bias. Results: In total, 10 eligible publications were identified after screening. Of these, six articles reported a statistically significant reduction in blood glucose from hyperbaric oxygen treatment, while two articles reported a statistically significant increase in peripheral insulin sensitivity. Two articles also identified a statistically significant reduction in HbA1c following hyperbaric oxygen treatment. Conclusions: There is emerging evidence suggesting a reduction in glycaemia following hyperbaric oxygen treatment in patients with diabetes mellitus, but the existing studies are in relatively small cohorts and potentially underpowered. Additional large prospective clinical trials are required to understand the precise impact of hyperbaric oxygen treatment on glycaemia for people with diabetes mellitus.

Long-term infant outcomes after hyperbaric oxygen treatment for acute carbon monoxide poisoning during pregnancy

Introduction: Carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning in pregnant women is linked to foetal mortality of 36–67%. This study assessed long-term fetal outcomes following hyperbaric oxygen treatment (HBOT) for acute CO poisoning in pregnant women. The effects of clinical severity parameters and pregnancy trimester were also analysed. Methods: A retrospective review of 28 pregnant patients who received HBOT for acute CO poisoning between January 2013-June 2016 was made. Adverse events, birth week, birth weight-height, birth complications, and the age of crawling, walking independently, talking (first words) of their children were recorded. Results: Twenty-eight singleton pregnancies were included. One fetus was dead before HBOT. Three adverse events were reported: abortion, premature birth, and limb malformation. All remaining patients (n = 24) delivered healthy term infants and reported normal neurophysiological development. At final interview the median age of babies was 34 (8-44) months and none had any diagnosed disease. There was no relationship between clinical severity parameters and long-term outcomes. However, the pregnancy trimester at the time of CO poisoning had a significant relationship to birth weight (P = 0.029). Also, the week of pregnancy at the time of the incident correlated with the age of walking independently (P = 0.043, r = 0.436). Conclusions: This is the largest relevant series and longest follow-up to date. Adverse outcomes were likely incidental because the mothers’ medical histories revealed alternative aetiologies. There was no definite evidence of fetal morbidity or mortality after HBOT in this study. HBOT may improve long-term fetal outcomes after in-utero CO poisoning without complications.

Air embolism during lumbar surgery in the prone position

Only a few clinical cases of cerebral arterial gas embolism during spinal surgery are published. It seems important not to overlook this diagnosis in order to initiate rapid appropriate treatment. This was a suspected case of paradoxical gas embolism revealed postoperatively by neurological deficits and whose recovery was noted during hyperbaric oxygen treatment. Unfortunately, no complementary examination showed gas embolism and only the context, the clinical picture and the case evolution evoke this diagnosis. The diagnostic difficulty in the immediate postoperative period is highlighted.

Perioperative hyperbaric oxygen treatment and postoperative complications following secondary breast reconstruction after radiotherapy: a case-control study of 45 patients

Introduction: Radiotherapy reduces the risk of locoregional recurrence of breast cancer. As a side-effect, tissue can become hypocellular, hypovascular, and hypoxic and late radiation tissue injury can develop months or years later. Radiotherapy increases the risk of complications following secondary breast reconstruction. Hyperbaric oxygen treatment (HBOT) improves oxygenation of irradiated tissue and induces neovascularisation. This study evaluated whether the incidence of complications following secondary breast reconstruction after radiotherapy is decreased with perioperative HBOT. Methods: In this retrospective case-control chart review study, patients who underwent perioperative HBOT (n = 15) were compared to lifestyle-matched (n = 15) and radiation damage-matched (n = 15) patients who underwent secondary breast reconstruction without HBOT. Results: The HBOT group had significantly more severe radiation damage of the breast than the lifestyle- and radiation-damage-matched control groups (scoring grade 1-4, mean 3.55 versus 1.75 and 2.89 respectively, P = 0.001). Patients underwent on average 33 sessions of HBOT (18 sessions preoperatively and 15 sessions postoperatively). There was no significant difference in the incidence of postoperative complications between the HBOT group, lifestyle-matched group and radiation damage-matched group. Logistic regression analysis showed a lower risk of postoperative complications in patients who underwent HBOT. Conclusions: Although the HBOT group had more radiation damage than the control groups, the incidence of postoperative complications was not significantly different. This implied a beneficial effect of HBOT, which was supported by the logistic regression analysis. Definitive conclusions cannot be drawn due to the small sample size. Future research is justified, preferably a large randomised controlled trial.