What Researchers Did
Researchers retrospectively analyzed 80,679 hyperbaric oxygen patient-treatments across two university hospitals to determine the incidence of seizures caused by central nervous system oxygen toxicity.
What They Found
Only 2 seizures were documented among 80,679 patient-treatments, yielding a very low incidence of 2.4 per 100,000 patient-treatments. Both seizures occurred in a multiplace chamber pressurized to 2.4 ATA, with oxygen delivered by mask. This incidence is lower than reported in other studies.
What This Means for Canadian Patients
Canadian patients receiving hyperbaric oxygen treatment can be reassured that the risk of seizures due to central nervous system oxygen toxicity appears to be very low. This suggests that HBOT is generally safe when appropriate patient exclusion criteria and treatment profiles are utilized.
Canadian Relevance
This study has no direct Canadian connection as it was conducted in two university hospitals outside of Canada.
Study Limitations
A limitation of this retrospective study is the potential for underreporting of seizures and the variability in hyperbaric oxygen treatment protocols used.