Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Research

There are many reasons why wounds fail to heal. Some wounds, especially chronic ones, are hypoxic, meaning they lack oxygen. Therefore, hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) can be used to re-oxygenate wounds and help them heal.
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There are many reasons why wounds fail to heal. Some wounds, especially chronic ones, are hypoxic, meaning they lack oxygen. Therefore, hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) can be used to re-oxygenate wounds and help them heal. Two researchers–one who treats humans and another who treats horses–described their experiences with HBOT on June 2 at the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine Forum in Louisville, Ky.

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy involves increasing the amount of oxygen dissolved in the blood by breathing in oxygen under pressure. The patient must be placed in a chamber that can be pressurized. Different oxygen dosages and protocols are recommended for different conditions that are treated with hyperbaric medicine.

Paul J. Sheffield, PhD, CAsP, CHT, of San Antonio, Texas, senior editor of Wound Care Practice, described how scientists measure oxygenation of tissues in humans using oxygen electrodes. Many of the studies are based on diabetic wounds that sometimes result in amputation. To predict a wound’s response to traditional treatments, Sheffield measures the oxygen level of the wound with transcutaneous (on the skin) oxygen sensors in a process called transcutaneous oximetry. These sensors are non-invasive and measure the arterial oxygenation of the capillary bed beneath the sensor.

"Moderate to severely hypoxic wounds are unlikely to heal unless supplemental oxygen is provided to the patient," Sheffield said. "Most wounds don’t need added oxygen," he said, "But for those that need oxygen, HBOT is valuable treatment to activate the healing cells. after one hour of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (when the patient is breathing the oxygen and the wound is being exposed to it, as would occur in an HBOT chamber), the plasma has about 15-20 times more oxygen than normal.  When the treatment is over  tissue oxygen remains elevated for about three hours," which can be very beneficial to moderate and severely hypoxic wounds

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Written by:

Stephanie L. Church, Editorial Director, grew up riding and caring for her family’s horses in Central Virginia and received a B.A. in journalism and equestrian studies from Averett University. She joined The Horse in 1999 and has led the editorial team since 2010. A 4-H and Pony Club graduate, she enjoys dressage, eventing, and trail riding with her former graded-stakes-winning Thoroughbred gelding, It Happened Again (“Happy”). Stephanie and Happy are based in Lexington, Kentucky.

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