What Researchers Did
Chinese researchers retrospectively analyzed patients hospitalized for moderate to severe carbon monoxide poisoning between 2018 and 2024, identifying which patients developed a dangerous complication called paroxysmal sympathetic hyperactivity syndrome (PSH) and how HBOT affected their outcomes.
What They Found
Of 53 patients analyzed, 3 developed PSH, a condition involving episodes of fever, rapid heart rate, high blood pressure, and abnormal movements. Patients who were in a coma for more than 72 hours and those who received irregular HBOT were more likely to develop PSH. Anti-seizure drugs alone were ineffective, but all three PSH patients improved after regular HBOT combined with adjusted medications.
What This Means for Canadian Patients
For Canadians who survive severe carbon monoxide poisoning, this study highlights the risk of PSH, a poorly recognized complication, especially if the patient was unconscious for more than three days or received inconsistent HBOT. Early, regular HBOT may help prevent and treat this serious syndrome.
Canadian Relevance
Carbon monoxide poisoning is an OHIP-covered indication for HBOT in Ontario.
Study Limitations
Only three patients developed PSH, making it impossible to draw statistically reliable conclusions from such a small case series.