Hyperbaric oxigen therapy in acute cerebral ischemia

It has been postulated that hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) may improve outcome in patients following acute stroke. Therefore, the aim of this review was to assess e effectiveness and safety of adjunctive HBOT in the treatment of acute ischaemic stroke. Two authors systematically searched all randomised controlled trials that compared the effect of adjunctive HBOT with no HBOT and they extracted the data independently. Each trial was assessed for validity. Data were extracted and analysed with RevMan 4.2. Three randomised controlled trials satisfied the inclusion criteria. There were no significant differences in mortality rate at si months in those receiving HBOT compared to the control group. 2 of 15 scale measures of disability and functional indicated an improvement following HBOT, both at one year follow up: the mean Trouillas Disability Scale was lower with HBOT and the mean Orgogozo Scale was higher These improvements were not reflected in other trials or functional scales. This systematic review has not found evidence to show that HBOT improves clinical outcomes when applied during the acute presentation of ischaemic stroke. While evidence from three randomised controlled trials is insufficient to provide clear guidelines for practice, clinical benefit does not seem likely. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy in acute stroke Cochrane Review.