A COVID-19 infection incidentally detected during hyperbaric oxygen treatment and preventive measures for COVID-19 transmission in a multiplace hyperbaric chamber.

INTRODUCTION: SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) was declared a global pandemic on 11 March 2020 and has become a serious threat to public health. As it can easily be transmitted through droplets and aerosols, there is an increased risk of transmission in enclosed environments such as hyperbaric oxygen treatment (HBOT) units if preventive measures are not taken. CASE REPORT: A 16-year-old female tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 during HBOT for idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss. The other patients and the inside attendant who attended the sessions with her were regarded as contacts, tested for SARS-CoV-2, and quarantined until the test results were available. Ultimately, none of them tested positive. DISCUSSION: As HBOT in multiplace chambers entails a high risk of SARS-CoV-2 transmission, we strictly adapted our practice to consider that every patient could be a potential asymptomatic carrier. Therefore, the negative results of all contacts in this case and the fact that no confirmed cases of COVID-19 were reported suggests that these measures successfully prevented SARS-CoV-2 transmission in our HBOT clinic. SARS-CoV-2 transmission can be prevented if sufficient protective measures are taken.

Respiratory and Pulse Changes Due to Vestibular Stimulations in a Motion-Based Simulator.

INTRODUCTION: One of the mechanisms leading to spatial disorientation (SD) is overstimulation of the vestibular system by various aircraft maneuvers. The objective of this study was to observe respiratory rate and pulse changes during vestibular system stimulations with the help of two selected SD training profiles. METHODS: The respiration and pulse rates of 15 subjects were recorded in response to 2 sequential SD training profiles on a motion-based simulator. The session started with a motionless instruction period (IP), continued with a Coriolis profile (CP) which stimulated the semicircular canals, and ended with a Dark Takeoff profile (DP) which stimulated the otolith organs. Recorded parameter means during profiles were statistically compared with IP mean values. RESULTS: The average age of all subjects was 23.67 ± 1.11. Mean CP respiratory rate (23.43 ± 3.21) was higher than mean IP respiratory rate (21.39 ± 4.27) and mean DP pulse rate (79.88 ± 10.39) was lower than mean IP pulse rate (84.76 ± 14.26) of the subjects. These differences were statistically significant. DISCUSSION: Data indicate that stimulation of the semicircular canals increased respiration rate while stimulation of the otoliths caused a reduction in pulse rate. This was considered to be a result of vestibulorespiratory reflex. Inputs from the vestibular otolith organs contribute to the control of blood pressure during movement and changes in posture. Predicting pulse and respiratory changes due to aerial maneuvers may be important for pilot safety during flight.Ilbasmis S, Yildiz S. Respiratory and pulse changes due to vestibular stimulations in a motion-based simulator. Aerosp Med Hum Perform. 2017; 88(1):48-51.

Potential benefits of hyperbaric oxygen therapy on atherosclerosis and glycaemic control in patients with diabetic foot.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) on glycaemic control, atherosclerosis, inflammatory markers, and other clinical and laboratory parameters in patients undergoing systemic HBOT for diabetic foot ulcerations. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twenty-eight patients with Wagner grade 2-4 diabetic foot ulcerations were included. All patients were given 100% oxygen at 2.4 absolute atmosphere (ATA) for about 105 minutes, five times a week for a total of 30 sessions. Fasting blood glucose (FBG), haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), homeostasis model measurement-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), uric acid, mean platelet volume (MPV), complete blood count, and lipid profile were tested. RESULTS: Upon completion of treatment, a statistically significant improvement was observed in the mean values of all assessed parameters. CONCLUSIONS: HBOT was shown to have beneficial effects on atherosclerosis and glycaemic control in diabetic patients. Further large-scale randomized studies are needed to study the systemic effects of HBOT.