Evidence-Based Hyperbaric Medicine

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is the use of oxygen at increased atmospheric pressure. It is a non-invasive, painless procedure that improves the body's natural healing process. The patient inhales 100% oxygen in a total body chamber where atmospheric pressure is increased and controlled. Today, patients are treated in either monoplace chambers or multiplace chambers. Physicians learn at the bedside through “teaching moments” encountered when interacting with patients. The majority of the available products do not replicate this approach. A conventional textbook is formatted in a hierarchical and linear fashion, and newer web-based resources are informative and non-hierarchical but do not address information in a practical, patient-focused approach. The optimal way to learn is to see the aspects of management demonstrated in a clinical context. Hence, the approach of this text will use case presentations, which are illustrative of key management principles. Additionally, principles of management can be divided into conventional management and into aspects of care which are more controversial. Written by experts in the field, Evidence-Based Hyperbaric Medicine provides evidence-based, practical, helpful information for anyone involved in Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy. It covers the physiologic principles that constitute the basis for understanding the basic principles, clinical implications and treatment applications. Different applications of HBOT are discussed as well as recent advances, research and new therapeutic approaches.