Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy and Anemia

EXCEPTIONAL BLOOD LOSS (ANEMIA)

Exceptional blood loss (anemia) occurs when the patients has lost sufficient red cell mass to compromise respiratory requirements and cannot or will not receive transfusions because of medical or religious reasons. The following indications dictate the use of HBO₂ for Class IV hemorrhage when the patient cannot accept blood replacement: a) shock, systolic blood pressure below 90 mmHg, or pressure maintained by vasopressors; b) disorientation to coma; c) ischemic gut as demonstrated by a sprue-like diarrhea.

RATIONALE: The intermittent use of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO₂) therapy will supply enough oxygen in the severely anemic patient to support the basic metabolic needs of the respective tissues of the body until red blood cells are restored. Most vitally, our brain requires approximately 6 volumes percent of oxygen to support its basic metabolic requirements. HBO₂ therapy at 3 ATA will place 6 volumes percent of dissolved molecular oxygen in an intravascular acellular perfusate for the direct use by tissue cells. The HBO₂ therapy is continued repetitively as needed and at pressures dictated by clinical response. HBO₂ is discontinued when the red blood cells have been replaced in numbers so as to alleviate the above signs and symptoms (a hematocrit of approximately 23%). There is presently no satisfactory blood substitute available to use in exceptional blood loss anemia. Thus, HBO₂ is a valuable adjunct when used early in treating acute blood loss in those who cannot or will not receive blood replacement for medical or religious reasons.

Source: Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy: A Committee Report. Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society. 1996 Revision

Approved Indications

Chico Hyperbaric Center
Telephone:
Email: