What Researchers Did
Researchers conducted a randomised multicenter trial to evaluate the safety and feasibility of adding hyperbaric oxygen therapy to standard thrombolytic treatment for patients experiencing acute myocardial infarction.
What They Found
In an analysis of 112 patients, hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) combined with thrombolysis appeared feasible and safe. Patients receiving HBO showed an approximately 7.5% reduction in mean creatine phosphokinase (CPK) at 12 and 24 hours, shorter time to pain relief, and a discharge left ventricle ejection fraction (LVEF) of 51.7% compared to 48.4% in controls.
Canadian Relevance
No direct Canadian connection identified.
Study Limitations
A significant limitation is that the observed improvements in CPK reduction and left ventricle ejection fraction were not statistically significant, indicating the need for larger studies to confirm these potential benefits.