hyperbaric oxygen

Last reviewed 01/2018

Hyperbaric oxygen is a treatment option in a variety of conditions.

• Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is defined as administration of 100% oxygen to a patient who has been placed inside a chamber which has been pressurized to greater than one atmosphere at sea level
• Hyperbaric sea oxygen therapy (HBOT) is a systemic treatment option, wherein a patient breathes pure oxygen at greater than one atmospheric pressure for a specified period of time
  • therapeutic effects of HBOT are caused by an increase in dissolved oxygen in plasma and tissue oxygen delivery

Since 1967, hyperbaric oxygen with 100% oxygen, beginning at 2.8 ATA, has been the world's standard for the treatment of decompression sickness among military and commercial divers and aviators (1)

Reference:

• Davis JC. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Journal of Intensive Care Medicine. 1989;4:55-57.