What Researchers Did
This prospective, single-centre, observational cohort study examined 22 patients with iatrogenic cerebral air embolism (CAE) who were treated with hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT).
What They Found
A total of 22 patients were included, with 14 (64%) having arterial CAE. The overall mortality rate was 23% (n = 5), and only eight of 22 patients achieved full recovery at six months. Nine of 17 survivors (53%) reported a decline in quality of life compared to their pre-incident status.
What This Means for Canadian Patients
Patients experiencing iatrogenic cerebral air embolism face a significant risk of mortality and long-term disability, even with hyperbaric oxygen therapy. This highlights the importance of prompt diagnosis and treatment, as well as the potential for lasting impacts on quality of life.
Canadian Relevance
This study has no direct Canadian connection as it was conducted at a single centre outside of Canada.
Study Limitations
This study's findings are limited by its single-centre, observational design and small sample size of 22 patients.