What Researchers Did
Researchers prospectively evaluated 25 patients with acute non-cardioembolic stroke treated with HBOT, measuring circulating endothelial progenitor cell counts, oxidative stress markers, and clinical neurological scores before and after treatment, comparing to 25 matched controls.
What They Found
After HBOT, circulating KDR+/CD34+ endothelial progenitor cells increased significantly. High-sensitivity CRP levels decreased significantly. Clinical scores (NIHSS, Barthel Index, modified Rankin Scale) improved, and the increase in endothelial progenitor cells correlated positively with clinical improvement.
What This Means for Canadian Patients
Stroke is a major cause of disability in Canada. This study suggests HBOT may promote stroke recovery by mobilizing endothelial repair cells and reducing inflammation. The correlation between endothelial progenitor cell counts and clinical improvement provides a potential biomarker for monitoring HBOT response in Canadian stroke patients.
Canadian Relevance
No direct Canadian connection identified.
Study Limitations
This was a small case-control study of 25 patients; without randomization, selection bias cannot be excluded, and the causality of the endothelial cell changes for clinical improvement remains unproven.