Study on hyperbaric oxygen chamber and cerebral infarction

Study on hyperbaric oxygen chamber and cerebral infarction

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) has been explored as a potential treatment for cerebral infarction, also known as ischemic stroke, which occurs when there is a blockage in an artery supplying blood to the brain.  HBOT involves breathing 100% oxygen in a pressurized chamber, which increases the amount of oxygen that can be dissolved in the blood and delivered to tissues, including the brain.

Several studies have investigated the use of HBOT in patients with cerebral infarction.  A 2016 systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) found that HBOT significantly improved neurological function and reduced mortality in patients with acute cerebral infarction.  However, the quality of the evidence was considered low to moderate, and further research was recommended.

A more recent RCT published in 2021 in the Journal of Stroke and Cerebrovascular Diseases compared HBOT plus standard care to standard care alone in patients with acute cerebral infarction.  The study found that HBOT significantly improved neurological function and reduced the incidence of post-stroke depression compared to standard care alone.  However, the sample size was small, and the study was limited by a lack of blinding and potential confounding factors.

Overall, while there is some evidence to suggest that HBOT may be a promising treatment for cerebral infarction, more research is needed to determine its effectiveness and safety.  Additionally, HBOT is not widely available and can be costly, so its use may be limited to specialized centers or certain patient populations.