[Hyperbaric oxygen therapy]

Oxygen inhalation in a chamber at the pressure exceeded 0.2 MPa produces some positive effects, that are explored for therapeutic purposes at about 30 years. Oxygen increases bactericidal capacity of leukocytes, reduces tissue edema, protects intracellular ATP, maintain tissue oxygenation even in the absence of hemoglobin. Stimulates fibroblast replication, increases collagen production, stimulates arborisation of capillaries into ischemic tissue, protects from lipid peroxidation. These properties of oxygen are exploit in acute, life threatened conditions and in various chronic ischemias. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy as an adjuvant together with conservative and invasive therapy methods helps to decrease morbidity, work incapability, invalidisation and mortality in oclusive and inflammatory arteriities, diabetic gangrene and other forms of clinical leg ischemia. The use of hyperbaric oxygenation will become increasingly common as more hyperbaric facilities are established.