Undersea Hyperbar M
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Undersea Hyperbar M · Jan 2014
Review Case ReportsFrostbite of both first digits of the foot treated with delayed hyperbaric oxygen:a case report and review of literature.
Frostbite is an uncommon event that can occur from exposure to temperatures below -4 degrees C and can lead to potential serious tissue damage and necrosis. This in turn can result in debilitating amputations in otherwise healthy people. The pathophysiological mechanisms of frostbite have marked similarities to those seen in thermal burns, ischemia/reperfusion injuries and crush injuries--i.e., non-healing wounds and inflammatory processes. These injuries are commonly treated with hyperbaric oxygen therapy. ⋯ Based on our case report as well as the literature and the mechanisms of hyperbaric oxygen, we make the recommendation that this therapy be considered as an addition to the multidisciplinary treatment of frostbite, even after significant delay of treatment.
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Undersea Hyperbar M · Jan 2014
Assessment of hemostaseologic alterations induced by hyperbaric oxygen therapy using point-of-care analyzers.
Exposure to hyperbaric conditions influences the coagulation system. Thromboembolic events and disseminated intravascular coagulation were observed. ⋯ ROTEM and Multiplate were able to detect an activation of platelets after HBO2 therapy via thrombin and arachidonic acid pathways. Previously reported fibrinolysis could not be confirmed.
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Undersea Hyperbar M · Nov 2013
Case ReportsPneumomediastinum following hyperbaric oxygen therapy for carbon monoxide poisoning: case report.
A 5-year-old boy trapped in a house fire was transported to the emergency department, unconscious with suspected carbon monoxide poisoning. The patient underwent a difficult intubation, but did not initially demonstrate any radiographic abnormalities. The patient remained intubated and underwent hyperbaric oxygen therapy using the carbon monoxide treatment protocol. ⋯ The patient was extubated on post-injury Day #2 and was discharged post-injury Day #4 with no residual clinical sequelae. The development of pneumomediastinum associated with hyperbaric oxygen therapy for carbon monoxide poisoning appears to be a rare phenomenon. However, clinicians should be aware of the risk factors that predispose patients to developing pneumomediastinum and have a low threshold for obtaining routine pre- and post-procedure screening chest radiographs in intubated and critically ill patients, particularly in children.