Risk factors to induce cerebral infarction during hyperbaric oxygen treatment: A 6-case report

Huai HUANG; Ronghao YU; Qiuyou XIE; Jianxin WEN

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND:

It is commonly believed that hyperbaric oxygen (HBO)plays a neuroprotective role in the prevention and treatment of cerebral infarction (CI), however hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT)-induced CI was also reported.

OBJECTIVE:

To investigate the risk factors of HBOT-induced CI.

DESIGN:

Case analysis with patients as subjects.

SETTING:

At the Department of Hyperbaric Oxygen of Guangzhou General Hospital of Guangzhou Military Command Area of Chinese PLA.

PARTICIPANTS:

Totally 192 inpatients receiving HBOT were selected from the Department of Hyperbaric Oxygen of Guangzhou General Hospital Guangzhou Military Command Area of Chinese PLA between December 1996 and March 1998, including 127 males and 65 females with age ranging from 9 to 78 years old. Totally 6 patients, 3 males and 3 females, suffered from CI during HBOT, with the age from 51 to 76 yeas.

METHODS:

The background factors of 192 patients who HBOT METHODS and 6 cases with induced CI were analyzed.MAIN OUTCOME

MEASURES:

Symptoms, signs and skull CT or MRI.

RESULTS:

Data of 192 patients were dealt with intentionally and all were statistically analyzed without miss. ① The incidence of CI during HBOT was 0.3% (6/192). ② The risk factors of HBOT-induced CI included age of ≥ 60 years, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, primary CI or cerebral hemorrhage, blood hyperviscosity and diabetes, and the incidence would greatly increased in those who has 4 or more than 4 risk factors, but seldom with less than 4 risk factors.

CONCLUSION:

The cluster level of risk factors was closely related with the incidence of HBOT-induced CI.