Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Following Percutaneous Coronary Intervention for ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Hyperbaric Medicine
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Ischemic heart disease, including myocardial infarction (MI), often has poor outcomes despite timely revascularization.
• Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is an emerging treatment for ischemic conditions.
• Primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) is a standard treatment for ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effect of HBOT on single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) findings in STEMI patients treated with PPCI.
• To compare SPECT findings at 6 weeks in STEMI patients receiving HBOT versus standard care.

Main Methods:

• A pilot study randomized 24 STEMI patients undergoing PPCI into two groups: HBOT (n=13) and control (n=11).
• The HBOT group received additional 15 and 90-minute HBOT sessions.
• SPECT imaging was performed at baseline (within 48 hours of PPCI) and at 6-week follow-up for both groups.

Main Results:

• The HBOT group showed a significant reduction in affected SPECT segments from baseline to 6 weeks (47.1% to 33.7%, p=0.039).
• Both groups showed a decrease in summed rest score, with a significant reduction in the HBOT group (20 to 12.7, p=0.0017).
• Left ventricular ejection fraction improved significantly in the HBOT group (44% to 57.2%, p=0.011) and the control group (45.9% to 55%, p=0.044).

Conclusions:

• HBOT in STEMI patients undergoing PPCI was associated with improved myocardial perfusion and increased left ventricular ejection fraction.
• These preliminary findings suggest HBOT may be a beneficial adjunctive therapy for STEMI.
• A larger randomized clinical trial is warranted to confirm these results.