What Researchers Did
Researchers reported on the successful hyperbaric oxygen treatment of a 53-year-old woman with a HeartMate III left ventricular assist device (LVAD) for haemorrhagic cystitis.
What They Found
A 53-year-old woman with a HeartMate III LVAD received successful hyperbaric oxygen treatment for haemorrhagic cystitis, despite the device not being previously tested or certified for such conditions. This marks the first reported instance of a HeartMate III LVAD supporting a patient during hyperbaric treatment, demonstrating a potential pathway for safe management.
What This Means for Canadian Patients
Canadian patients with a HeartMate III left ventricular assist device (LVAD) who require hyperbaric oxygen treatment for conditions like haemorrhagic cystitis may now have a documented pathway for safe care. This case suggests that, with multidisciplinary collaboration, hyperbaric therapy could be a viable option for this patient population.
Canadian Relevance
This study has no direct Canadian connection.
Study Limitations
A significant limitation of this study is that it is a single case report, meaning the findings may not be generalizable to all patients with HeartMate III LVADs.