What Researchers Did
Researchers reviewed case reports and case series from the published literature to examine HBOT's history, mechanisms, and its emerging role in treating severe COVID-19, particularly its effects on inflammation, low oxygen levels, and oxidative stress.
What They Found
HBOT increases dissolved oxygen in blood and tissues without needing hemoglobin, which is particularly useful in COVID-19 where hemoglobin function may be impaired. Evidence from case reports suggests HBOT reduces inflammation, corrects hypoxemia, and modulates oxidative stress in severe COVID-19 patients, potentially improving clinical outcomes and reducing mortality.
What This Means for Canadian Patients
For Canadians who developed severe COVID-19 pneumonia or hypoxemia, this review suggests HBOT could serve as a useful supplemental treatment to improve oxygen delivery when conventional oxygen therapy is inadequate. However, the evidence is based on small case reports, not large trials.
Canadian Relevance
No direct Canadian connection identified. COVID-19 is not a standard OHIP-covered indication for HBOT.
Study Limitations
The review is based primarily on case reports and small case series, the weakest level of clinical evidence, and lacks the statistical rigor of controlled trials.