Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39808603›Full record

ArticlePloS one2025

Safety of hyperbaric oxygen therapy in non-emergent patients with a history of seizures: A retrospective cohort study.

Subin Park, Anton Marinov, Hance Clarke, Simone Schiavo, Elise Greer, George Djaiani, Jordan Tarshis, Rita Katznelson

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in PloS one, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

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Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Review
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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Subin ParkTemerty Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.ORCID 0000-0001-5483-0067
Anton MarinovHyperbaric Medicine Unit, Toronto General Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Hance ClarkeHyperbaric Medicine Unit, Toronto General Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Simone SchiavoHyperbaric Medicine Unit, Toronto General Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.ORCID 0000-0003-3609-9201
Elise GreerHyperbaric Medicine Unit, Toronto General Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
George DjaianiHyperbaric Medicine Unit, Toronto General Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Jordan TarshisDepartment of Anesthesia, Sunnybrook Health Science Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.ORCID 0009-0002-1118-2164
Rita KatznelsonHyperbaric Medicine Unit, Toronto General Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.ORCID 0000-0003-2992-7435

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundHyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is well established as a treatment for various medical conditions. However, it poses a risk of oxygen toxicity, which can cause seizures particularly in individuals with pre-existing seizure disorders. Consequently, seizure disorders are considered a relative contraindication to HBOT. Despite this, the relative risk of HBOT-induced seizures in this patient population remains unclear. This retrospective cohort study aims to evaluate the safety of HBOT among patients with pre-existing seizure disorders.

methodsAfter obtaining approval from the Research Ethics Board, we retrospectively reviewed the patient charts of individuals with a history of seizures who were referred to the Rouge Valley Hyperbaric Medical Center and Toronto General Hyperbaric Medicine Unit for HBOT between January 2020 and December 2023. Relevant demographic information, past medical history, and HBOT session treatment protocols, such as the treatment pressure set in absolute atmospheric pressure (ATA) and number of air breaks, were recorded. The collected data was analyzed using descriptive statistics.

resultsA total of 43 patients were referred to HBOT during the study period, and 21 patients did not proceed with the treatments. In total, 634 HBOT sessions were administered to 22 patients in monoplace chambers with five-minute air breaks, and one patient experienced a seizure event. Each patient completed an average of 29 (range 3-60) sessions lasting 90-120 minutes at 1.8 ATA (n = 3), 2.0 ATA (n = 18), or 2.4 ATA (n = 1). Fifteen patients were on oral antiseizure medications during the HBOT course. The overall incidence of seizures was one in 634 treatments.

conclusionWhile patients with a history of seizures may develop seizure activity during HBOT, the majority can safely undergo treatment when predetermined protocols are followed. With careful management and adherence to established protocols, HBOT can be a viable treatment option for those with seizure histories.

Indexed as

Hyperbaric OxygenationSeizuresAdultAgedFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedRetrospective StudiesYoung Adult

Identifiers

PMID39808603
PMCPMC11731757

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