Undersea Hyperbar M
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Undersea Hyperbar M · Jul 2012
Randomized Controlled TrialHyperbaric oxygen for post-concussion syndrome: design of Department of Defense clinical trials.
The current wars in the Middle East have resulted in between 10-20% of U. S. service members with mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). While anecdotal reports have associated hyperbaric oxygen (HBO2) with improved outcomes after mTBI, controlled research is lacking. ⋯ Compression pressures will range from 1.2 atm abs (sham) to 2.4 atm abs, and oxygen concentration will range from room air (sham and control) to 100%. Outcomes measures include both subjective and objective measures performed at baseline, at exposure completion, and at three to 12 months' follow-up. This integrated program of clinical trials investigating the efficacy of HBO2 in service members with persistent symptoms following mTBI exposure will be important to define practice guidelines and, if needed, for the development of definitive clinical trials in this population.
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Undersea Hyperbar M · Jul 2012
Case ReportsPrevalence of acute respiratory symptoms in breath-hold divers.
After repetitive deep dives, breath-hold divers are often affected by a syndrome characterized by typical symptoms such as cough, sensation of chest constriction, blood-striated expectorate (hemoptysis) and, rarely, an overt acute pulmonary edema syndrome, often together with various degrees of dyspnea. The aim of this work is an epidemiological investigation to evaluate the prevalence of acute respiratory symptoms (ARS) in breath-hold divers (BHDs) in practicing breath-hold diving. ⋯ Our data show that this is a common condition among experienced BHDs. In our opinion, this is particularly interesting for the free-diving community.
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Undersea Hyperbar M · Jul 2012
Exercise carbon dioxide (CO2) retention with inhaled CO2 and breathing resistance.
Combined effects on respiratory minute ventilation (VE)--and thus, on end-tidal carbon dioxide partial pressure (P(ET)CO2)--of breathing resistance and elevated inspired carbon dioxide (CO2) had not been determined during heavy exercise. In this Institutional Review Board-approved, dry, sea-level study, 12 subjects in each of three phases exercised to exhaustion at 85% peak oxygen uptake while V(E) and P(ET)CO2 were measured. Participants inhaled 0%, 1%, 2% or 3% CO2 in air, or 0% or 2% CO2 in oxygen, with or without breathing resistance, mimicking the U. ⋯ Subjects identified hypercapnia poorly. Results support dual optimization of arterial carbon dioxide partial pressure and respiratory effort. Because elevated CO2 may not increase V(E) if breathing resistance and VE are high, rebreather UBA safety requires very low inspired CO2.
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Undersea Hyperbar M · Jul 2012
ReviewThe effect of hyperbaric oxygen in crush injuries and skeletal muscle-compartment syndromes.
Crush injuries represent a spectrum of injury to body parts as result of trauma. Presentations vary from minor contusions to limb-threatening damage. Typically, the injury involves multiple tissues, from skin and subcutaneous, to muscle and tendons, to bone and joints. ⋯ The SMCS, especially in its incipient stages before a fasciotomy is required, is a therapeutic challenge since no means to arrest its progression exist other than hyperbaric oxygen (HBO2). Unfortunately, HBO2 is woefully neglected as an adjunct for managing crush injury and SMCS. Strong arguments exist for its use based on evidenced-based information and how HBO2 mitigates the pathology of these conditions.