Case Report Undersea Hyperb Med 2018

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy for cerebral air gas embolism following orthotopic heart transplant: case report

Dilip M, Bielawski A, Owen E — Undersea Hyperb Med, 2018

View Original on PubMed PMID 31158937

Tier 2, Indexed

Automatically imported from PubMed based on relevance criteria.

Summary

What Researchers Did

Researchers reported a case of an adolescent male who developed cerebral arterial gas embolism (AGE) following orthotopic heart transplant surgery, with near-complete symptom resolution after HBOT.

What They Found

The diagnosis of AGE was delayed after the cardiac transplant procedure, but the patient still responded well to HBOT when it was eventually administered. Symptoms resolved nearly completely at follow-up, demonstrating that even delayed treatment can be beneficial.

Canadian Relevance

Arterial gas embolism is an OHIP-covered indication for HBOT in Ontario.

Study Limitations

A single case report cannot establish treatment efficacy; the natural history of AGE post-cardiac surgery is variable and spontaneous improvement cannot be excluded.

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Study Details

Study Type	Case Report
Category	Decompression Sickness
Source	Pubmed
PubMed ID	31158937
Year Published	2018
Journal	Undersea Hyperb Med
MeSH Terms	Adolescent; Aorta, Thoracic; Aortic Rupture; Embolism, Air; Heart Transplantation; Humans; Hyperbaric Oxygenation; Intracranial Embolism; Intraoperative Complications; Male; Postoperative Complications

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Disclaimer: This study summary is provided for informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice. The information presented reflects the findings of the original research authors and may not represent the views of Canada Hyperbarics. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making treatment decisions.

Last reviewed: March 19, 2026 | Reviewed by: Canada Hyperbarics Editorial Team | Editorial process | Research sources | Counts & methodology