Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

The use of a pressure chamber to deliver greater-than-atmospheric partial pressures of gas, in particular oxygen. This significantly ↑ the partial pressure of oxygen dissolved in plasma.

Delivered therapy varies on:

• The chamber
  • Monoplace
    Single-occupant. Usually completely filled with the breathable gas.
  • Multiplace
    Multiple person chamber. Oxygen hoods are usually used (rather than filling the chamber) to reduce fire risk.

Indications

• Decompressive Injury
• CO₂ toxicity
  CO binds Hb with significantly greater affinity than O₂.
  • ↑ PaO₂ reduces the half-life of CO:
    • Air: 320 minutes
    • 100% FiO2₂: 90 minutes
    • 3 atm: 23 minutes
  • This is worthwhile in:
    • Age >35
    • Syncope
    • COHb >25%
      
• Necrotising soft tissue infections
• Non-healing wounds

Contraindications

Anatomy

Equipment

Technique

Complications

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References