Hyperbaric Therapy in Blood Loss Anemia

Excerpt

Red blood cells contain hemoglobin, the primary carrier of oxygen throughout the human body. When hemoglobin levels decrease, anemia results, and patients may exhibit signs and symptoms of reduced oxygen delivery to tissues (also known as oxygen debt). The signs and symptoms of oxygen debt may include tachycardia, dyspnea, fatigue, chest pain, and altered mental status. Laboratory findings may include metabolic acidosis, hyperlactatemia, and elevated cardiac enzymes. Transfusion of packed red blood cells is administered to anemic patients who are symptomatic to relieve the signs and symptoms of oxygen debt. However, some patients cannot receive blood transfusions due to religious beliefs or medical reasons such as massive autoimmune hemolysis. In these patient populations, hyperbaric oxygen therapy can increase oxygen delivery to tissues and relieve the signs and symptoms of oxygen debt.