What Researchers Did
This retrospective study analyzed healing and amputation rates in patients with nonhealing arterial insufficiency ulcers treated with adjunctive hyperbaric oxygen.
What They Found
Among 82 patients, the overall ulcer healing rate was 43.9%, and the major amputation rate was 17.1%. Patients whose ulcers healed had a 0% amputation rate, compared to 42.4% among those whose ulcers did not heal (p < 0.0001).
What This Means for Canadian Patients
Canadian patients with arterial insufficiency ulcers that have not healed with standard treatments might consider hyperbaric oxygen therapy as an additional option. This treatment could potentially improve healing rates and reduce the risk of major amputation.
Canadian Relevance
This study was not conducted in Canada and does not have a direct Canadian connection.
Study Limitations
As a retrospective chart review, this study is limited by its design and potential for confounding factors, necessitating prospective research.