What Researchers Did
Researchers investigated hyperbaric oxygenation (HBO) as part of a combined treatment for 102 patients experiencing frequent irregular heartbeats, including atrial fibrillation, supraventricular tachycardia, and extrasystoles, particularly when anti-arrhythmic drugs were ineffective.
What They Found
Extrasystoles became less frequent or disappeared for varying periods in 75% of coronary patients. Specifically, 50% of coronary patients with extrasystoles present for less than two years experienced stable disappearance for 6-12 months. For atrial fibrillation paroxysms linked to coronary disease, HBO-inclusive treatment eliminated these episodes for 4-10 months, while also improving cardiac output and reducing blood catecholamine levels.
What This Means for Canadian Patients
This older study suggests that hyperbaric oxygen therapy might offer a potential benefit for Canadian patients with certain heart rhythm disorders, such as atrial fibrillation and extrasystoles, especially when conventional anti-arrhythmic medications have not been successful. It indicates a possible role for HBOT in stabilizing heart rhythm and improving related cardiac functions for those with underlying coronary disease.
Canadian Relevance
No direct Canadian connection identified.
Study Limitations
This study was conducted in 1983, and its findings may not fully reflect current medical understanding or treatment protocols for cardiac arrhythmias, and it lacks a control group for comparison.