Charaghvandi DA, Teguh DN, van Hulst RA, et al.
Undersea & hyperbaric medicine : journal of the Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society, Inc. Date of publication 2020 Jan 1;volume 47(1):111-123.
1. Undersea Hyperb Med. 2020 First Quarter;47(1):111-123. doi:
10.22462/01.03.2020.12.
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy in patients suffering from wounds in calciphylaxis: a
narrative review.
Charaghvandi DA(1), Teguh DN(2), van Hulst RA(3).
Author information:
(1)Amsterdam University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
(2)Department of Surgery/Hyperbaric Medicine, Amsterdam University Medical
Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
(3)Professor of Anesthesiology/Hyperbaric Medicine, Amsterdam University Medical
Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
BACKGROUND: Calcific uremic arteriolopathy (calciphylaxis) is a rare and highly
lethal vascular disease. Vascular calcification with calcium depositions lead to
ischemic ulcers associated with gangrene, severe pain and poor healing. Although
hyperbaric oxygen (HBO2) therapy has been used in the treatment of
calciphylaxis, evidence of its effectiveness is limited.
OBJECTIVE: To determine whether HBO2 therapy has a beneficial effect in the
healing of calciphylaxis ulcers.
METHODS: A search was made in PubMed using a comprehensive strategy to identify
the effect of HBO2 on calciphylaxis wounds. Included in the analysis were
studies published up to October 2018 involving a minimum of four patients
receiving HBO2 therapy.
RESULTS: Ten retrospective (case) series were included. This review included a
total of 131 patients with calciphylaxis who were treated with HBO2 therapy; of
these, 58 patients (45%) had full response on HBO2 with complete wound closure.
Regarding partial response, 17 of the patients (13%) experienced substantial
wound improvement on different wound scale scores.
CONCLUSION: Patients with calcific uremic arteriolopathy can benefit from HBO2.
More research is needed using standardized wound scores. Outcomes related to
quality of life and pain relief should also be assessed.
Copyright© Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society.
DOI: 10.22462/01.03.2020.12
PMID: 32176952 [Indexed for MEDLINE]
Conflict of interest statement: The authors of this paper declare no conflicts
of interest exist with this submission.
