What Researchers Did
Researchers examined the effect of hyperbaric conditions on the contractile function of the left ventricle in 16 test subjects using polycardiography.
What They Found
They found that in a compressed air atmosphere (0.5 MPa for 30 min), systolic time intervals varied, indicating changes in left ventricle function. These changes were less pronounced in a hyperbaric normoxic atmosphere and least pronounced in a medical oxygen atmosphere at normal barometric pressure. The study concluded that hyperbaria, increased gas density, and hyperoxia negatively affect the heart, with increased gas density having the strongest effect during short-term exposure.
Canadian Relevance
This study has no direct Canadian connection.
Study Limitations
A limitation of this study is its small sample size of 16 subjects and the specific, extreme hyperbaric conditions examined.