Undersea Hyperbar M
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Undersea Hyperbar M · Mar 2016
The safety of hyperbaric oxygen treatment--retrospective analysis in 2,334 patients.
Hyperbaric oxygen (HBO2) therapy is applied in a growing number of cases for patients with different comorbidities and is considered a generally safe therapy. The main side effects related to HBO2 therapy are barotrauma, central nervous system- and pulmonary oxygen toxicity, claustrophobia, anxiety and visual disturbances. The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence of side effects associated with HBO2 therapy and risk factors in a large cohort of patients treated for different indications. ⋯ Strict operational protocols, including pre-HBO2 therapy evaluations and in-chamber monitoring, are essential and improve patient safety. When applied, HBO2 therapy can be considered one of the safest medical treatments available today.
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Undersea Hyperbar M · Jan 2016
Case ReportsInaccurate pulse CO-oximetry of carboxyhemoglobin due to digital clubbing: case report.
Newer pulse CO-oximeters provide a non-invasive and quick means of measuring oxyhemoglobin, carboxyhemoglobin and methemoglobin. Clubbing has been reported to cause inaccuracy in pulse oximeters. We present a case of inaccurate carboxy-hemoglobin measurement by pulse CO-oximetry due to digital clubbing. ⋯ Again, non-invasive carboxyhemoglobin measurements read 10%. The patient was treated with hyperbaric oxygen for carbon monoxide poisoning. This case suggests that non-invasive measurements of carboxyhemoglobin should be correlated with the clinic history and with an arterial or venous blood gas oximetry analysis.
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Undersea Hyperbar M · Jan 2016
Seizures during hyperbaric oxygen therapy: retrospective analysis of 62,614 treatment sessions.
Hyperbaric oxygen (HBO₂) therapy is considered to be a generally safe therapy. However, data regarding seizure incidence during HBO₂ therapy as a clinical presentation of central nervous system- (CNS) related oxygen toxicity are conflicting (ranging from 1:10,000 to 1:600 seizures:hyperbaric sessions). The risk for seizures is of significant importance for the growing population of patients suffering from chronic neurological disorders such as traumatic brain injury and stroke who are treated with HBO₂. The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence of seizures during HBO₂ therapy in a large cohort of patients and determine whether patients with known chronic neurological disorders are at increased risk. ⋯ Seizures induced by oxygen toxicity during HBO₂ therapy are extremely rare. Moreover, in relation to oxygen-induced seizures, HBO₂therapy can be considered safe for patients suffering with chronic neurological disorders except for uncontrolled epilepsy.
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Undersea Hyperbar M · Jan 2016
Performance of three large-volume infusion pumps with the monoplace hyperbaric chamber.
We evaluated the Zyno Medical Z-800F, CME Body Guard 323 Color Vision, and Baxter Flo-Gard 6201 infusion pumps for monoplace chamber conditions. We adjusted pump occlusion pressure allowing infusion to 3 atmospheres absolute (atm abs). Baxter and Zyno pumps were connected to the chamber pass-through with rigid small-bore tubing. ⋯ Tubing compliance compromised performance at lower flow rates, magnified by increased pressure. These pumps have potential for monoplace chamber use, although not supported by the manufacturers or FDA-cleared. At low flow rates, tubing compliance affects delivered volumes.
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Undersea Hyperbar M · Sep 2015
Case ReportsLow forced expiratory flow rates and forceful exhalation as a cause for arterial gas embolism during submarine escape training: a case report.
A 26-year-old male U. S. Navy submariner suffered an arterial gas embolism during pressurized submarine escape training. ⋯ S. Navy resumed pressurized submarine escape training utilizing the Submarine Escape and Immersion Equipment suit. We discuss possible contributing factors and propose that his AGE was caused by pulmonary barotrauma due to a combination of low forced expiratory flow rates and an overly forceful exhalation during his ascent.