APPLICATION OF HYPERBARIC OXYGEN
THERAPY TO TRAUMATIC INJURIES

Tissue Oxygenation
Reperfusion Injury
Inflammation and Swelling
Traumatic Brain Injury
DNA Stimulation
Compartment Syndrome and Crush Injury
Prevention of the Need for Amputation
Blood Loss
Studies for the Application of HBOT to TBI

    The drug effects of hyperbaric oxygen has been shown to:

    1) IMPROVE TISSUE OXYGENATION
        a. Reduces hypoxia
        b. Encourages the development of new capillaries

    2) REDUCE REPERFUSION INJURY (the immune response to injury)
        a. Research proves hyperbaric oxygen is the only drug to completely or nearly completely reverse the reperfusion injury process.

    3) REDUCE INFLAMMATION AND SWELLING (edema)
        a. Reduces swelling and helps re-establish circulation

    4) IMPROVE SYMPTOMS AND PROGNOSIS FOR TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY
        a. Reduce swelling and intracranial pressure
        b. Improve tissue oxygenation and cellular metabolism
        c. Reduce blood vessel spasm
        d. Alter neurochemical balance
        e. Minimize cellular reperfusion injury
        f. Researchers note that “HBOT should be initiated as soon as possible after acute severe traumatic brain injury.” (Rockswold)

    5) STIMULATE DNA TO PROMOTE TISSUE GROWTH
        a. Initiate the production of repair hormones and proteins
        b. Generate the growth of cells that build tissue strength (fibroblasts), new blood vessels, bone healing and strengthening and new skin tissue.

    6) COMPARTMENT SYNDROME and CRUSH INJURY
        HBOT is an effective treatment for acute battlefield trauma involving crush injury, major blood vessel disruption, and compartment syndrome.
        a. Improves healing of bone and soft tissues
        b. Reduces need for amputation

    7) PREVENTION OF THE NEED FOR AMPUTATION
    When there is damage to major blood vessels with loss of blood flow (ischemia) and reduction or oxygen (hypoxia) until surgical repair completion, HBOT reduces the necessity for major amputation. It reduces swelling, improves oxygen flow, and minimizes compartment syndrome, reperfusion injury, infection, and long-term damage resulting when tournaqueting was used to prevent massive bleeding or blood flow stopped to allow surgical repair.

    8) BLOOD LOSS
    HBOT can be used as a blood substitute until an appropriate transfusion is available. Studies have show that at three atmospheres of pure oxygen, enough oxygen is dissolved in the plasma to sustain life even if there are insufficient red blood cells. This has been used with Jehovah’s Witness patients who refuse needed blood transfusions on religious grounds. These patients have been kept alive with HBOT for weeks until their body has produced enough hemoglobin. The application of HBOT for battlefield casualties awaiting transfusion could clearly be lifesaving.

    9) STUDIES OF THE APPLICATION OF HYPERBARIC OXYGEN THERAPY TO TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY

Holback’s study showed a 55% reduction in mortality and 81% improvement in short-term outcome.

Rockswold’s 1992 study demonstrated a 47% reduction in mortality with a 59% reduction for those most severely injured.

Rockswold’s 2001 study showed a single HBOT treatment “improved brain metabolism and re-coupled brain blood flow and metabolism in the severely injured human brain FOR THE FIRST TIME IN THE HISTORY OF SCIENCE AND MEDICINE.”

    Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy is a life-saving and function-saving treatment for both brain and body trauma.

©2008 Florida Oxygen