[Hyperbaric oxygenation in paroxysmal and extrasystolic disorders of cardiac rhythm]

Hyperbaric oxygenation (HBO) was used as part of combined treatment in 102 patients with frequent paroxysms of atrial fibrillation and supraventricular tachycardia, and extrasystoles associated with coronary disease in 74 and neurogenic disturbances in 28 patients. HBO was indicated where anti-arrhythmic drugs had proved inefficient. Electrocardiographic, hemodynamic (rheographic), spirographic parameters and blood catecholamines were examined. Extrasystoles became less frequent or disappeared altogether for varying intervals in 75% of coronary patients, the duration of disappearance depending on the duration of their former presence. Stable disappearance of extrasystoles for 6-12 months was noted in 50% of coronary patients with less than two years' existence of extrasystole. In atrial fibrillation paroxysms due to coronary disease, HBO-incorporating combined treatment eliminated paroxysms for 4 to 10 months. In addition to normalizing cardiac rhythm, HBO increased formerly low cardiac output, reduced hyperventilation, eliminated respiratory arrhythmias and brought down blood catecholamine levels.