What Researchers Did
Researchers conducted a retrospective chart review of 23 patients aged 40 or older with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF ≤ 40%) to evaluate adverse events during and within 24 hours after hyperbaric oxygen treatment (HBOT).
What They Found
A total of 23 patients received an average of 25 HBOT treatments. Two patients experienced acute decompensated heart failure possibly linked to HBOT. Overall, the majority of patients with reduced LVEF tolerated HBOT well, showing reassuring results.
What This Means for Canadian Patients
Canadian patients with reduced heart function who require hyperbaric oxygen treatment may find these results reassuring regarding the safety of the procedure. While close monitoring is still important, the study suggests that HBOT is generally well-tolerated in this patient group.
Canadian Relevance
This study was conducted in Canada, providing valuable local data on the safety of hyperbaric oxygen treatment for Canadian patients with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction.
Study Limitations
The study's retrospective design and small sample size of 23 patients limit the generalizability of its findings.