What Researchers Did
Researchers retrospectively analyzed 188,335 hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) sessions over 20 years (1999-2018) to determine seizure frequency and assess the benefit of a 5-minute air-break.
What They Found
Out of 188,335 HBOT sessions, a total of 43 seizures were observed. The seizure frequency significantly decreased from 3.9 per 10,000 treatments before the 5-minute air-break to 1.2 per 10,000 treatments after its introduction (P < 0.0001). Seizures typically occurred after a median of 57 minutes into a session and after a median of 21 HBOT sessions.
What This Means for Canadian Patients
For Canadian patients receiving hyperbaric oxygen therapy, incorporating a 5-minute air-break during treatment could significantly reduce the risk of seizures. This simple protocol adjustment enhances patient safety, making HBOT a safer option for conditions like diabetic ulcers or acute traumatic peripheral ischemia.
Canadian Relevance
This study has no direct Canadian connection as it was conducted at a single center outside of Canada.
Study Limitations
As a single-center retrospective analysis, the findings may not be generalizable to all hyperbaric oxygen therapy settings.