Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Enhanced Circulating Levels of Endothelial Progenitor Cells and Angiogenesis Biomarkers, Blood Flow, in Ischemic Areas in Patients with Peripheral Arterial Occlusive Disease.

What Researchers Did

Researchers prospectively enrolled 57 patients with peripheral arterial occlusive disease to investigate if hyperbaric oxygen therapy improved circulating endothelial progenitor cells, angiogenesis factors, and blood flow in ischaemic areas.

What They Found

After hyperbaric oxygen therapy, circulating levels of endothelial progenitor cells and soluble angiogenesis factors (SDF-1α, VEGF, HGF) significantly increased (all p < 0.001). Skin perfusion pressure, indicating blood flow in ischaemic areas, also significantly improved (p < 0.001), with EPC numbers correlating positively with angiogenesis factors and SPP.

Canadian Relevance

This study has no direct Canadian connection.

Study Limitations

A limitation of this prospective study is the lack of a control group, which could impact the generalizability of the findings.