What Researchers Did
Researchers used in-chamber transthoracic echocardiography to evaluate cardiac changes in 11 patients and 9 staff members during hyperbaric oxygen therapy administered at 243 kPa.
What They Found
During hyperbaric oxygen therapy, heart rate significantly decreased from 70 bpm to 65 bpm (P = 0.002), leading to a reduced cardiac output of 5.3 L·min⁻¹ from 5.9 L·min⁻¹ (P = 0.003). While left ventricular outflow tract dimension increased from 2.23 cm to 2.30 cm (P = 0.0003) and velocity time integrals decreased, stroke volume remained similar at 61 ml versus 65 ml (P = 0.5).
Canadian Relevance
This study was not conducted in Canada and has no direct Canadian connection.
Study Limitations
A limitation of this study is its small sample size and focus on subjects without active cardiac disease, which may limit generalizability.