The optimal treatment strategy with hyperbaric oxygen therapy has been the subject of some debate over the past 3 decades. Initial landmark studies showed a decrease in the incidence of DNS with a single treatment and also with three treatments over the course of 24 hours. These two strategies have continued to be used widely without further evidence comparing them in a direct fashion. Retrospective publications in the years since have been largely conflicting about the benefit of additional hyperbaric treatments. The investigators would seek to randomize patients with carbon monoxide poisoning to receive with 1 or 3 treatments with hyperbaric oxygen and measure their neurologic outcomes.
HBO is a niche treatment modality, especially in Canada. There are few sites which offer this care, and as such, treatment often carries significant logistical challenges. Since 2021, the HBO unit at the Misericordia hospital has averaged 49 patients per year being treated for CO poisoning. This HBO unit provides coverage to patients within Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Yukon, and Northwest Territories. Due to the significant barriers to treatment, including the high cost to the public system, it is important to clearly understand how to best treat these patients. Purpose: The aim of this study is to assess whether a single treatment session of hyperbaric oxygen is non-inferior to three treatments for patients with acute carbon monoxide poisoning.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
300
Three treatments with hyperbaric oxygen therapy. The exact parameters of each dive will be left to individual clinicians. Commonly used treatments would be: Weaver protocol, or similar (i.e. 100% oxygen at 3 atmospheres for 90 minutes with two 10-minute air breaks every 30 minutes. Repeat this every 8 hours until 3 treatments are complete.)
Single treatment with hyperbaric oxygen. Exact parameters left to treating physician but commonly: 100% oxygen at 2.8 atmospheres for 30 minutes followed by a 10-minute air break, then 100% oxygen at 2 atmospheres for 60 minutes with one 10-minute air break after 30 minutes
University of Alberta
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
RECRUITINGProportion of patients experiencing delayed neurologic sequalae
DNS includes a spectrum of symptoms such as depression, anxiety, memory issues, ataxia, behavioral changes, decreased cognitive function. For CO-poisoned patients who do not succumb to the direct effects of hypoxia, DNS is one of the primary causes of long-term morbidity. The presence of delayed neurologic sequelae as measured by a series of standardized tests. These tests will include digit span (Attention), the Boston Naming Test 15 (aphasia), general orientation and delayed recall (memory), and clock drawing (visuospatial). DNS will be considered present if a patient scores ≥2 SD below the standardized T scores for any neuropsychological test, if they score ≥1 SD below the standardized T scores for 2 or more tests, or if they score ≥1 SD below the standardized T score for any test and self-report poor memory/concentration/attention.
Time frame: 6 weeks and 6 months
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