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Optimal Number of Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatments for Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Not Applicable
Recruiting
Conditions
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Interventions
Procedure: Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
Registration Number
NCT06619717
Lead Sponsor
University of Alberta
Brief Summary

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.

Detailed Description

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.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
RECRUITING
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
300
Inclusion Criteria
  • All adult (over 17 years old) patients referred to a Hyperbaric Unit for acute carbon monoxide poisoning.
Exclusion Criteria
  • Obtunded
  • Mechanically ventilated
  • Pregnant
  • Incarcerated
  • Cognitively impaired (acutely or chronically)

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Single HBO treatmentHyperbaric Oxygen TherapyThe exact parameters of each dive will be left to individual clinicians. Commonly used treatments would be: o 1 treatment: 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
Three HBO treatmentsHyperbaric Oxygen TherapyThe exact parameters of each dive will be left to individual clinicians. Commonly used treatments would be: o o 3 treatments: Weaver protocol or similar variation (i.e. 100% oxygen at 3 atmospheres for 90 minutes with two 10-minute air breaks every 30 minutes. This will be repeated every 8 hours until 3 treatments are complete.)
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Proportion of patients experiencing delayed neurologic sequalae6 weeks and 6 months

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.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

University of Alberta

🇨🇦

Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

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