Hyperbaric oxygen therapy in intensive care in 2019

Abstract

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is breathing 100% oxygen while under increased atmospheric pressure. The therapeutic
benefi ts of HBOT result from the physical e ects of increased barometric pressure (volume reduction of bubbles) and with
increased oxygen pressure in tissues (increased transport and oxygen delivery to tissues and hyperoxia e ects). Performing
HBOT sessions in emergency and/or for intensive care patients requires an organization, an adapted technical platform and
a control of these care by all the interveners of the hyperbaric center. It is a complex process, which requires a human and
material investment. It has some contraindications to respect and well-identifi ed risks to take into account. The benefi t-risk ratio
should be systematically evaluated according to the patient's condition, emergency, accessibility to the hyperbaric center and
the proximity of an intensive care unit. Indications are regularly evaluated in the context of international consensus conferences.
The last one, European, took place in Lille in 2016.