What Researchers Did
Researchers investigated how hyperbaric oxygen therapy, administered at 2 atmospheres (ATA) with 100% oxygen for 90 minutes per session, changed skin blood flow in patients with critical limb ischaemia who had recently undergone a procedure to improve blood flow.
What They Found
The study found that skin perfusion pressure (SPP) significantly increased by 20.5±8.7 in areas directly affected by improved blood flow after hyperbaric oxygen therapy (p=0.002). In contrast, SPP decreased in indirectly affected areas (-6.4±10.9) and in healthy subjects (-15.1±18.1, p=0.014). These results suggest that HBOT improved circulation specifically in areas where revascularization was successful.
What This Means for Canadian Patients
For Canadian patients with critical limb ischaemia and ulcers who have had successful revascularization, hyperbaric oxygen therapy could help improve blood flow in the affected limb, potentially aiding wound healing. This targeted improvement in circulation may be a beneficial addition to their treatment plan.
Canadian Relevance
This study was not conducted by Canadian authors or in Canada. However, it covers wound healing in ischaemic conditions, which is related to Health Canada-recognised indications like diabetic foot ulcers.
Study Limitations
A key limitation of this preliminary study is its very small sample size, including only six patients with critical limb ischaemia.