What Researchers Did
Researchers investigated how hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) affected blood flow in the brains of 9 patients experiencing a coma due to head injuries.
What They Found
After two hours of HBOT at 2.5 times atmospheric pressure, brain blood flow varied in all 9 patients. For 5 patients who initially had lower blood flow (less than 31 ml/mn/100 g), flow increased following HBOT. Conversely, for 4 patients with higher initial flow (greater than 31 ml/mn/100 g), flow decreased after HBOT.
Canadian Relevance
No direct Canadian connection identified.
Study Limitations
This early study from 1975 involved a very small number of patients (9) and primarily focused on validating the methods used to measure cerebral blood flow.