Category Archives: Hyperbaric Studies

The sandwich technique for vacuum-assisted wound dressing application in the urogenital region: a safe, time-sparing and reliable method.

♦ April 20, 2013 ♦ Comments Off

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The sandwich technique for vacuum-assisted wound dressing application in the urogenital region: a safe, time-sparing and reliable method.

Singapore Med J. 2012 Apr;53(4):294-5; author reply 295

Authors: Djedovic G, Engelhardt TO, Rieger UM, Pierer G, Kronberger P

PMID: 22511061 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Source: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22511061?dopt=Abstract

Inhalation injury: epidemiology, pathology, treatment strategies.

♦ April 20, 2013 ♦ Comments Off

Inhalation injury: epidemiology, pathology, treatment strategies.

Scand J Trauma Resusc Emerg Med. 2013 Apr 19;21(1):31

Authors: Dries DJ, Endorf FW

Abstract Lung injury resulting from inhalation of smoke or chemical products of combustion continues to be associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Combined with cutaneous burns, inhalation injury increases fluid resuscitation requirements, incidence of pulmonary complications and overall mortality of thermal injury. While many products and techniques have been developed to manage cutaneous thermal trauma, relatively few diagnosis-specific therapeutic options have been identified for patients with inhalation injury. Several factors explain slower progress for improvement in management of patients with inhalation injury. Inhalation injury is a more complex clinical problem. Burned cutaneous tissue may be excised and replaced with skin grafts. Injured pulmonary tissue must be protected from secondary injury due to resuscitation, mechanical ventilation and infection while host repair mechanisms receive appropriate support. Many of the consequences of smoke inhalation result from an inflammatory response involving mediators whose number and role remain incompletely understood despite improved tools for processing of clinical material. Improvements in mortality from inhalation injury are mostly due to widespread improvements in critical care rather than focused interventions for smoke inhalation.Morbidity associated with inhalation injury is produced by heat exposure and inhaled toxins. Management of toxin exposure in smoke inhalation remains controversial, particularly as related to carbon monoxide and cyanide. Hyperbaric oxygen treatment has been evaluated in multiple trials to manage neurologic sequelae of carbon monoxide exposure. Unfortunately, data to date do not support application of hyperbaric oxygen in this population outside the context of clinical trials. Cyanide is another toxin produced by combustion of natural or synthetic materials. A number of antidote strategies have been evaluated to address tissue hypoxia associated with cyanide exposure. Data from European centers supports application of specific antidotes for cyanide toxicity. Consistent international support for this therapy is lacking. Even diagnostic criteria are not consistently applied though bronchoscopy is one diagnostic and therapeutic tool. Medical strategies under investigation for specific treatment of smoke inhalation include beta-agonists, pulmonary blood flow modifiers, anticoagulants and antiinflammatory strategies. Until the value of these and other approaches is confirmed, however, the clinical approach to inhalation injury is supportive.

PMID: 23597126 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Source: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23597126?dopt=Abstract

Necrotising soft-tissue infection.

♦ April 18, 2013 ♦ Comments Off

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Necrotising soft-tissue infection.

BMJ Case Rep. 2012;2012

Authors: Carrascosa MF, Santamaría MP, Caviedes JR, Gutiérrez PG

PMID: 23060379 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Source: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23060379?dopt=Abstract

Prognostic factors predicting ischemic wound healing following hyperbaric oxygenation therapy.

♦ April 18, 2013 ♦ Comments Off

Prognostic factors predicting ischemic wound healing following hyperbaric oxygenation therapy.

Wound Repair Regen. 2013 Apr 16;

Authors: Feldman-Idov Y, Melamed Y, Linn S, Ore L

Abstract Identifying patients who benefit from hyperoxygenation therapy is important, because treatment is time-consuming and involves high costs and complications (minor). Our objective was to develop a model for predicting therapy outcome based on population of patients with and without diabetes. A retrospective cohort study was carried out in a major hospital in Israel. All 385 patients treated between 1/1/1998 and 1/1/2007 for ischemic nonhealing lower extremities wounds were included. Data on medical history, demographic, transcutaneous oximetry, wounds, treatment, and outcome characteristics were collected. Eight factors were identified to optimally predict wound healing: (1) number of hyperbaric oxygenation treatments (odds ratio [OR] = 1.034, p < 0.001), (2) transcutaneous oximetry values at hyperbaric conditions (OR = 1.001, p = 0.019), (3) wound duration (OR = 0.988, p = 0.022), (4) absence of heart disease (OR = 3.304, p < 0.001), (5) being employed (OR = 3.16, p = 0.008), (6) low socioeconomic status (OR = 2.50, p = 0.004), (7a) good/partial granulation wound appearance (OR = 2.73, p = 0.022), (7b) wounds covered with fibrin (OR = 3.16, p = 0.015), and (8) absence of anemia (OR = 2.13, p = 0.016). The model's sensitivity is 78.7%, specificity is 62.9%, and accuracy is 71.8%. We suggest using our model as an adjunct to patients' clinical evaluation. Also, we recommend initiating hyperoxygenation therapy no later than 2 months after wound appearance.

PMID: 23590699 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Source: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23590699?dopt=Abstract

High altitude pulmonary edema-clinical features, pathophysiology, prevention and treatment.

♦ April 14, 2013 ♦ Comments Off

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High altitude pulmonary edema-clinical features, pathophysiology, prevention and treatment.

Indian J Occup Environ Med. 2012 May;16(2):59-62

Authors: Paralikar SJ

Abstract High altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE) is a noncardiogenic pulmonary edema which typically occurs in lowlanders who ascend rapidly to altitudes greater than 2500-3000 m. Early symptoms of HAPE include a nonproductive cough, dyspnoea on exertion and reduced exercise performance. Later, dyspnoea occurs at rest. Clinical features are cyanosis, tachycardia, tachypnoea and elevated body temperature generally not exceeding 38.5°C. Rales are discrete initially and located over the middle lung fields. HAPE mainly occurs due to exaggerated hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction and elevated pulmonary artery pressure. It has been observed that HAPE is a high permeability type of edema occurring also due to leaks in the capillary wall ('stress failure'). Slow descent is the most effective method for prevention; in addition, graded ascent and time for acclimatization, low sleeping altitudes, avoidance of alcohol and sleeping pills, and avoidance of exercise are the key to preventing HAPE. Treatment of HAPE consists of immediate improvement of oxygenation either by supplemental oxygen, hyperbaric treatment, or by rapid descent.

PMID: 23580834 [PubMed - in process]

Source: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23580834?dopt=Abstract