The treatment used in Hyperbaric Medicine is known as Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT). Specifically, it consists of the therapeutic administration of 100% oxygen inside a Hyperbaric Chamber. To achieve this, an environmental pressure higher than atmospheric pressure is applied. In this way, the therapeutic effects of oxygen are enhanced.
On the other hand, the European Committee for Hyperbaric Medicine (ECHM) is the European body responsible for studying and defining the indications for Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy. In addition, this committee establishes research protocols and common standards for therapeutic and technical procedures.
At its 7th European Consensus Conference on Hyperbaric Medicine, the ECHM determined that HBOT treatments should be administered at a minimum pressure of 2 ATA. It also stipulated that the duration of treatment should not be less than 60 minutes.
Hyperbaric medicine is based on solid and well-established foundations. In this context, the therapeutic action of hyperbaric oxygen therapy is based on hyperoxia.
This hyperoxia occurs when the transport and transfer of oxygen dissolved in blood plasma increases. Furthermore, as it is in a free physical form, oxygen can be used when hemoglobin transport is ineffective.
This situation often occurs in disorders where tissue hypoxia causes the pathology and promotes its development. For this reason, hyperbaric oxygen therapy is particularly effective in these cases.
Finally, the contraindications and side effects of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy are few. They are also well defined and easily controllable.
Hyperbaric medicine is based on solid and well-established foundations. In this context, the therapeutic action of hyperbaric oxygen therapy is based on hyperoxia.
This hyperoxia occurs when the transport and transfer of oxygen dissolved in blood plasma increases. Furthermore, as it is in a free physical form, oxygen can be used when hemoglobin transport is ineffective.
This situation often occurs in disorders where tissue hypoxia causes the pathology and promotes its development. For this reason, hyperbaric oxygen therapy is particularly effective in these cases.
Finally, the contraindications and side effects of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy are few. They are also well defined and easily controllable.
Boyle’s Law states that, at constant temperature, the pressure exerted by a gas is inversely proportional to the volume it occupies.
Therefore, when the pressure increases, the volume of the gas decreases.
As a result of the increase in environmental pressure inside a hyperbaric chamber, the volume of air spaces in the body decreases.
These spaces are not in direct contact with the respiratory tract (urinary bladder, digestive tract, auditory organ, and paranasal sinuses). In addition, this reduction in volume generates a significant mechanical effect.
This mechanical effect has important clinical applications in all those pathologies where there is an abnormal gas volume, for example in gas embolism, decompressive disease…
According to «Henry’s Law», the amount of gas dissolved in a liquid at constant temperature is proportional to the partial pressure of the gas in the liquid.
When breathing oxygen at a concentration of 100% inside a hyperbaric chamber at an ambient pressure of 3 ATA, there is a progressive increase in the volume of oxygen dissolved and transported by the blood plasma, which can reach a figure 22 times higher than at atmospheric pressure, representing a total of approximately 6.8 ml of dissolved oxygen per 100 ml of blood.
The following table shows the direct relationship between the increase in the volume of dissolved oxygen in the blood and the increase in environmental pressure.
It also reflects how the inspired fraction of oxygen influences this increase.
Boyle’s Law states that, at constant temperature, the pressure exerted by a gas is inversely proportional to the volume it occupies.
Therefore, when the pressure increases, the volume of the gas decreases.
As a result of the increase in environmental pressure inside a hyperbaric chamber, the volume of air spaces in the body decreases.
These spaces are not in direct contact with the respiratory tract (urinary bladder, digestive tract, auditory organ, and paranasal sinuses). In addition, this reduction in volume generates a significant mechanical effect.
This mechanical effect has important clinical applications in all those pathologies where there is an abnormal gas volume, for example in gas embolism, decompressive disease…
According to «Henry’s Law», the amount of gas dissolved in a liquid at constant temperature is proportional to the partial pressure of the gas in the liquid.
When breathing oxygen at a concentration of 100% inside a hyperbaric chamber at an ambient pressure of 3 ATA, there is a progressive increase in the volume of oxygen dissolved and transported by the blood plasma, which can reach a figure 22 times higher than at atmospheric pressure, representing a total of approximately 6.8 ml of dissolved oxygen per 100 ml of blood.
The following table shows the direct relationship between the increase in the volume of dissolved oxygen in the blood and the increase in environmental pressure.
It also reflects how the inspired fraction of oxygen influences this increase.
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy provides an additional supply of oxygen, free of flow limitations or metabolic conditions that may limit the transfer of oxygen to the bloodstream. utilization of oxygen carried by red blood cells. This arterial, venous and tissue hyperoxia, the increased transport and availability of dissolved oxygen in the blood plasma, the changes in gas volume, the non-hypoxemic peripheral vasoconstriction, the stimulation of Nitric Oxide formation and the high formation of antioxidants can provide a therapeutic effect in all pathologies in which there is a state of general or local tissue hypoxia as a causative or aggravating factor of the pathology. In certain pathologies, some specific therapeutic effects are produced: