Hyperbaric oxygen therapy decreases QTc dispersion that increased in CO poisoning

Myocardial injury is a frequent consequence of moderate to severe CO (carbon monoxide) poisoning and a significant predictor of mortality in CO injury. Electrocardiography (ECG) is an easily accessible diagnostic tool for evaluating myocardial damage. Increased QT interval and QT dispersion are related to heterogeneity of regional ventricular repolarization and can develop into arrhythmias. It has been reported that QT interval and QT dispersion increase in patients with CO poisoning. Hyperbaric oxygen (HBO2) therapy has been used successfully in treating patients with CO poisoning. The aim of this study was to investigate change of corrected QT (QTc) interval and QTc dispersion after HBO2 therapy. This study included 31 patients with CO poisoning. QTc dispersion increased in patients with CO poisoning. The mean QTc dispersion was 54.94 milliseconds (ms) on admission. The mean QTc dispersion decreased to 35.74 ms after HBO2 therapy (P=0.003). There was also a correlation between carboxyhemoglobin level and QTc dispersion (P=0.029). HBO2 therapy, which decreases QTc dispersion, may improve the myocardial electrical homogeneity and reduce the risk of ventricular arrhythmia and cardiac death. Physicians should be aware of the effect of HBO2 therapy on myocardial damage when treating patients with CO poisoning. The ECGs should be examined carefully before referring or excluding HBO2 therapy.