What Researchers Did
Researchers studied 163 patients with severe lung and pleura infections to understand changes in red blood cell flexibility.
What They Found
They found a significant decrease in red blood cell flexibility in all 163 patients with acute lung and pleura infections. This increased stiffness was most noticeable during the peak of the infection and after surgery, especially if complications arose. Both therapeutic plasmapheresis and general hyperbaric oxygenation (HBOT) positively improved the flexibility of these red blood cells.
Canadian Relevance
No Canadian authors or study location identified. This study covers acute infections of the lung and pleura, which are not currently Health Canada-recognised indications for HBOT.
Study Limitations
The abstract does not provide details on the specific hyperbaric oxygen therapy protocols used, nor does it describe the study design or long-term patient outcomes.