 Hyperbaric Unit Stands at Forefront of 'Atmospheric' Medicine
Posted by: Cindy on Apr 14, 2008 AD - 12:49 PM
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"We knew the science was strong for treating acute cases of the Bends and carbon monoxide poisoning, but theories on how well it would impact wound-healing and other diseases were still being investigated 15 years ago," medical director Dr. Jeffrey Stone said. "Through the years, studies have proven time and again that hyperbaric medicine can be an important part of a team-approach to treating complex medical cases."
When the Hyperbaric Medicine Unit at Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas opened 15 years ago, it was one of the only units of its kind in the region. Originally used to treat decompression illness in SCUBA divers and carbon monoxide poisoning, the science of hyperbaric medicine slowly expanded as researchers theorized it could treat other ailments...
As the role of hyperbaric medicine has expanded over the years, so has the unit at Presbyterian Hospital. The team of specialized-trained doctors and nurses recently completed their 50,000th treatment, making it one of the busiest hyperbaric programs in the Southwest.
The 1,100-cubic-foot compression chamber uses compressed air at simulated depths of up to six atmospheres to treat patients with chronic non-healing wounds, diabetic foot wounds, bone infections, radiation soft-tissue injuries, and failing skin graphs.
Most patients breathe 100 % oxygen while being treated at pressure equivalent to two times normal atmospheric pressure, giving them 10 times more oxygen than sea-level air. The gas levels in the patients' blood and organs undergo all the same physiological changes experienced when deep-sea diving.
During normal healing, cells proliferate and divide, releasing growth factors. New blood vessels are created, a collagen matrix is formed, and remodeling occurs. Certain medical conditions alter this course and limit healing.
Demand for hyperbaric medicine has increased as diabetes has skyrocketed nationally. Non-healing wounds are a common side-effect of diabetes. "Thousands of diabetic patients undergo surgical amputation every year as a result of non-healing wounds," Dr. Stone said. "These amputees face a long, costly rehabilitation, and permanently reduced mobility and independence. Hyperbaric treatments are an important tool in treating diabetic wounds before it's too late."
Other conditions can also lead to the development of non-healing wounds, including peripheral vascular disease, arterial or venous ulcers, traumatic injury, complications following surgery, rheumatoid arthritis, congestive heart failure, lymphedema and other conditions which compromise circulation.
The hyperbaric program is a division of Presbyterian's Institute for Exercise and Environmental Medicine, which is a joint collaboration with UT Southwestern Medical Center.
Source: Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas
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