Reversal of Residual Stroke Symptoms Using Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

Reversal of Residual Stroke
Symptoms Using Hyperbaric
Oxygen Therapy
Morton Walker, D.P.M.
So, I did place my husband with a rehabil-
cept that Sandy showed a growing agita-
itation center as a full-time resident.
tion. He had awakened out of his lethar-
While there, however, he fell out of his
gy and wanted something from me but
wheelchair three times because of insuffi-
made nothing known. Then, suddenly,
H
after his fourteenth HBOT, he amazed
omemaker Maureen Phosfeld
cient supervision by the nursing staff. He
the clinic staff, Dr. Neubauer, and me.
of Montgomery, Alabama, has
had no movement ability or coordination
Sandy spoke words to us. That evening
been married to Sandford
and couldn't resist the force of gravity. So
he turned himself over in bed, became
(Sandy) Phosfeld for 34 years. Her hus-
I took him out of the institution .... I was
progressively active during each day,
band remained a robust and vigorous
nursing him myself, feeding through a na-
sogastric tube, washing his body, and
and actually participated in his physical
railroad dispatcher until he was 58
therapy sessions. He cooperated with the
years old. Then, on February 19, 1986,
doing all the other jobs one must perform
for a helpless individual. A physical ther-
therapists and moved parts of his body
he experienced a severe cerebral vascu-
apist came in regularly for a time, but
that had been immovable before. In an-
lar insult (CVI) to the right side of his
nothing seemed to help Sandy come back
other week, he used his legs to push him-
brain. The stroke caused him hemiple-
to himself.... He was officially classified
self in the wheelchair around Dr.
gia along the entire left half of his body
by a representative of the Veterans Ad-
Neubauer's Ocean Hyperbaric Center.
and disabled his right arm. Diagnosed
He spoke whole sentences, moved his
ministration as totally bedridden, beyond
by the City of Montgomery's hospital
rehabilitation; [he was, in essence,] "a
left arm, and squeezed a rubber ball. His
neurologist as having a progressive
vegetable" with the poorest prognosis.
right arm, which had been drawn up in a
form of stroke, which is the most deadly
hooklike position, relaxed, and the fin-
type of stroke, Mr. Phosfeld was not ex-
gers loosened their contraction....
Then Mrs. Phosfeld read about a new
pected to live. As described by Mrs.
kind of stroke therapy:
Phosfeld, her husband's condition
We returned to Montgomery after he
seemed to be hopeless:
But then, in February 1992, I read in my
had undergone 20 hyperbaric oxygen
city newspaper about hyperbaric oxygen
treatments through March 1992. His im-
My husband lay in that hospital bed for
as a viable treatment for stroke, so I tele-
provement was dramatic. He spoke
over a month and slept the entire time.
phoned for an appointment and traveled
without slurring words, ate full meals,
He hardly ever opened his eyes and
with Sandy to the pressurized oxygen fa-
remained awake during most of the day-
spoke not at all. He was speechless and
cility described. It operated six single-per-
light hours, and once more became my
without expression. His attending physi-
son hyperbaric chambers in a clinic
companion.
cians told me that it was as far as Sandy
located at Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, Florida,
would ever come in returning to the real
under the direction of hyperbaricist
Acting on Dr. Neubauer's referral,
world. They advised me to institutional-
Richard E. Neubauer, M.D. Naturally I
Mrs. Phosfeld found another hyperbaric
ize him because he required 24-hour
didn't expect miracles, only I was hoping
chamber facility not too far from their
nursing care, something I thought I
that my husband would learn to speak
home, and Mr. Phosfeld continued his
couldn't manage at home.
my name or swallow a sip of water or
treatments. Although he has not re-
turn in the bed by himself. I just wanted
turned to work, he has been rehabilitated
to see him acting like a human being
at least 90 percent. HBOT was the main
Editor's note: Parts of this article are excerpted
again. I prayed that hyperbaric oxygen
instrument of his recovery. It returned
from a manuscript by the author in consulta-
Sandford Phosfeld to a stable condition
tion with Richard E. Neubauer, M.D., as con-
therapy-HBOT, as it's labeled in medical
so that now he gets around on his own,
tracted with the Avery Publishing Group, Inc.,
shorthand-might do that.
of Garden City Park, NY. Their book will be
tends his garden, plays golf, visits with
published in May 1996 under the title HBO: The
By the end of 13 hyperbaric oxygen treat-
his grandchildren, and fulfills his per-
Benefits of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy.
ments, nothing much had happened ex-
sonal needs like any retired person.
24

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ALTERNATIVE & COMPLEMENTARY THERAPIES-JANUARY/FEBRUARY 1996
25
Usual Stroke Prognosis and Why
This Patient Bested It
Stroke outranks head injury today as
the leading cause of neurologic disability
among those living in industrialized
Western countries. For the past 30 years it
has been the third most frequent cause of
death in the United States and the single
most expensive disease.' Figuring in the
costs of physicians' services, nursing
homes, and other nonhospital care, stroke
costs about $33 billion a year. According
to the American Heart Association, the
condition strikes more than 500,000
Americans annually, causing death in
150,000. More than 3 million Americans
are living with varying degrees of disabil-
ity caused by stroke. 2
From 15 percent to 58 percent of stroke
C
D
victims die within 30 days of being struck
by a cerebrovascular accident (CVA). Of
Figure 1. Shown are four SPECT scans of Mr. L.A.F., a 78-year-old retired school teacher from Ft. Lauderdale,
stroke survivors, only 10 percent manage
Florida, who experienced the acute onset of left-sided weakness, dizziness, inability to stand, and mental con-
fusion.
to return to work without some disability,
A. The initial computer-generated, three-dimensional, pre-HBOT SPECT scan of the brain, which reveals diffuse di-
40 percent experience mild disability, 40
minished activity throughout the lower gyre of the frontal lobes, worse on the left and throughout the temporal
percent are severely disabled, and 10 per-
lobes, left basal ganglion, and posterior occipital poles. Notice the large holes, which indicate that an acute is-
cent require either temporary or perma-
chemic stroke has taken place in the middle of an ischemic cascade. The holes occurred in the brain because there
was a lack of blood and oxygen perfusing those damaged areas. This is the exact location of the patient's deficit.
nent institutionalization. At this time, in
B. Three-dimensional post-HBO SPECT scan of the same patient 1 hour later, following his treatment with hyper-
medical practice, none of the stroke man-
baric oxygen therapy (HBOT). The holes are gone because they are filled with blood and oxygen. The ischemic
agement methods or the various sequelae
thrombotic portion has completely cleared.
C. The brain's axial view before Mr. L.A.F. received HBOT. Notice the brain's yellow and red areas. Yellow areas
treatment techniques can be considered
indicate greatly reduced blood and oxygen. The patient has experienced a major stroke.
satisfactory. 3 The result is that a certain
D. Axial view of the same brain after Mr. L.A.F. underwen t just one HBO treatment for 1 hour at 1.5 ATA.
pessimistic attitude toward stroke per-
vades the medical profession overall.
"Treatment of stroke is nearly a decade
"Only recently have we begun to un-
specifics vary from patient to patient,
behind the treatment of heart attacks," says
derstand some basic facts about strokes.
there are areas of the brain that aren't
Michael D. Walker, M.D., director of the
We know that the area in the middle [of
dead but instead are in an idling condi-
Division of Stroke and Trauma of the Na-
the brain area affected by] the stroke is
tion. The area is not electrically active, but
tional Institute of Neurological Disorders
often fully infarcted, and it will die, but
it has the potential, like an idling car, to
and Stroke, Bethesda Maryland. "The vast
the area at the periphery may be salvaged
be brought back up to speed. But you
majority of physicians have been taught
if we move quickly," said Dr. Walker.
cant wait very long."
that brain damage caused by stroke is irre-
This area of viable neurons is known as
The immediate goal of emergency brain
versible. As a result, little effort was ex-
the ischemic penumbra. "We're quite sure
resuscitation is to limit damage and re-
pended on figuring out what was going on.
now," he added, "that although the
store the neurons in the ischemic penum-

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2 6
ALTERNATIVE & COMPLEMENTARY THERAPIES-JANUARY/FEBRUARY 1996
Length of Hospital Stays for 18 Patients Treated
Within 4 Hours of Ictus
Standard Treatment
HBO Treatment
No. of patients
No. of days
No. of patients
No. of days
I . ............................................5
4 .............................................0
I .............................................8
I .............................................5
2.............................................10 each
I .............................................9
2.............................................I I each
I ............................................. 1 0
2.............................................14 each
2 ............................................. 12 each
I ............................................. 1 7
2 ............................................. 15 each
2.............................................19 each
2 .............................................20 each
I .............................................24
I .............. :.............................. 1 6
2.............................................40 each
1 .............................................26
bra. How much time is available to com-
I .............................................44
1 .............................................34
plete the salvage operation? "That de-
I .............................................47
1 .............................................30
pends on how low the supplies of oxygen
1 .............................................48
and glucose get and how long the condi-
tion is maintained," Dr. Walker says. "It's
Total number of days=381 Total number of days=224
no different from what occurs in the my-
ocardium during a [myocardial infarc-
Treatment Outcomes for Acute Stroke in 16 Patients
tion]. -4
Standard Treatment
Standard Treatment + HBO Treatment
Visualizing the Ischemic Penumbra
Expired
2
I
with SPECT Scanning
Nursing home
8
0
Home
6
1 5
Six years after his stroke occurred, Mr.
Phosfeld was given access to two major
medical advances, one diagnostic ad-
vance that determined the viability of his
Current Methods of Spasticity Management
ischemic penumbra and the other a thera-
Physical medicine
peutic advance that nourished that
Physical modalities: heat, cold, vibration, electrical stimulation
penumbra with oxygenation. These pro-
Physical therapy: use of proper splints, positioning of patient,
cedures allowed him to overcome his
spasm-inhibiting exercises, slow and prolonged stretch
residual stroke symptoms (sequelae).
Drugs
More effective for visualizing the inter-
Dantrolen, baclofen, diazepam, warfarin, heparin, phenytoin plus chlorpromazine
nal functional structures of the brain than
either computed tomography (CT) or
Surgery
magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is sin-
Orthopedics: lengthening, sectioning, tendon release, transposition of tendons
gle photon emission computed tomogra-
Neurosurgical. intramuscular neurolysis and rhizotomy, spinal cord stimulation
phy (SPECT), with the addition of a
special radiotracer element, technetium-
99 mHMPAO [Tc- 99m, dl-hexamethyl-
Three Principal Reasons for Stroke to Strike
propyleneamine oxime], commercially
The three main reasons for stroke to occur are vascular in origin-ischemia, hemorrhage,
known as Ceretec® (Amersham Co., Ar-
and emboli.
lington Heights, Illinois). Together,
Ischemia is a lack of oxygen and glucose carried through the circulating blood to the brain,
SPECT and the tracer allow for observing
which may result from arterial stenosis or thrombosis. Ischemic or thrombotic strokes in-
both local and global evolutionary
j ure only a certain area of the brain supplied by the affected blood vessel and, in so doing,
changes in the brain following stroke
cause a specific functional impairment.
most accurately.
Hemorrhage is brain bleeding from burst blood vessels, which impairs the circulation of blood
Recovery from the global phenomena
oxygen and glucose to a single area of the brain's hemispheres. Massive hemorrhage may
of stroke and the ability to predict its out-
destroy large areas, causing rapid loss of consciousness and death. Hypertension or blood
come are directly related not only to tis-
vessel abnormalities can bring on a cerebral hemorrhage.
sue damage, but also to the ischemic
Emboli are blood clots that may form in the heart valve, in the carotid arteries, or on the
penumbra. Such changes may be recog-
i nner heart surface and travel to the brain. Such clots sometimes develop from a heart at-
nized with SPECT 3 months following the
tack, a heart valve infection, or rheumatic heart disease.
stroke. Furthermore, newer tracers that
measure the metabolic activity of the

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ALTERNATIVE & COMPLEMENTARY THERAPIES-JANUARY/FEBRUARY 1996
27
brain's gray matter have demonstrated
spontaneous or natural changing tracer
activity for up to 6 months.'
Within an assaulted brain, the injured
area is surrounded by a margin of tissue
that fans out and looks like an atomic
bomb blast. A center core may be lost, but
the marginal tissue often retains various
degrees of viability or function. The out-
look and overall prognosis of stroke de-
pend largely on the remaining viable
areas in this ischemic penumbra. Perfu-
sion with tissue oxygen reactivates idling
neurons. These damaged and dormant
nerve cells are metabolically lethargic and
electrically nonfunctional but remain vi-
able in the ischemic penumbra. They have
been subjected to critical low tissue oxy-
gen availability. By correction of oxygen
deficiencies, idling neurons become
C
metabolically stimulated to regain electri-
cal function.6
Figure 2. Four SPECT scans are shown of Mrs. C.G., an 84-year-old retired physical therapist from Delray
I mproved metabolism has been seen in
Beach, Florida, who sustained a stroke 3 months earlier on the right side of her brain. Her left side was para-
lyzed. She was having great difficulty with her memory, but she was not institutionalized after the initial hos-
stroke patients with midbrain infarction
pitalization.
using SPECT scanning. Dr. Neubauer is
A. Mrs. C.G.'s computer-generated, three-dimensional, pre-HBOT SPECT scan, showing two large holes in her
the originator of the technique for color
brain caused by the absence of blood and oxygen as the result of the cerebral vascular accident that happened 3
months previously.
coding, digitalizing, identifying, and ob-
B. The same 3-D view of the patient's brain following three treatments with HBO for 1 hour each at 1.5 ATA. No-
serving the ischemic penumbra. The ex-
tice that Mrs. C.G.'s brain damage has largely disappeared, with the brain's recovery improved by approxi-
istence of an ischemic penumbra had
mately 98 percent.
C. Axial view of Mrs. C.G.'s brain 3 months after she sustained left side hemiplegia from deficit s in the area of the
been mere conjecture until Dr. Neubauer
right midcerebral flow. The pretreatment midcerebral slice of film taken by the SPECT scan indicates that her
demonstrated its presence with SPECT.
deficit is not as great as that of L. A. F., although Mrs. C.G.'s brain damage had been present much longer.
He has become an advocate of the use of
D. Axial SPECT scan of the same woman taken posttreatment with HBO. Note how the vacant yellow areas have
been filled in and turned red, indicating increased perfusion and metabolism. Three treatments with HBO at
hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) as the thera-
1.5 ATA were given to Mrs. C.G., each lasting 1 hour. With an additional 20 HBO treatments, her situation be-
peutic means of awakening idling neu-
came vastly improved, as did the clinical parallel that she followed.
rons in stroke. For example, in a patient
who experienced a stroke 13 years previ-
ously who showed hemiplegia, mental
functional volume obtained by SPECT be-
Pathophysiologic Considerations
confusion, drooling, and speech impair-
fore and after 1 hour of 1.5 ATA HBOT
ment, there was improvement in
Stroke treatment must take into account
often indicates a larger region of poten-
metabolism and better function in the is-
that outcome depends on the site and ex-
tially recoverable edematous and hypoxic
chemic brain area following a single ex-
tent of ischemic penumbral zones. The
brain tissue. 8 Pathophysiologic considera-
posure of HBO at 1.5 atmospheres
outcome may be predicted to some extent
tions dictate the use of HBO or, at least,
absolute (ATA) administered for 60 min-
by the amount of damage to brain cells
unpressurized (isobaric) oxygen. Chronic
utes.7
and how many are affected. Comparative
neurologic deficits may benefit from

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2 8
ALTERNATIVE & COMPLEMENTARY THERAPIES-JANUARY/FEBRUARY 1996
More than 1000 patients who sustained
cerebrovascular disease have been treated with
HBOT and have shown improvement that ranges
from 40 percent to 100 percent.
tic intervention might be tried, especially
Current Methods
TIA: The Primary Warning
if the comparative pre-HBOT and post-
of Managing Stroke
of an Impending Stroke
HBOT SPECT images suggest the pres-
ence of potentially recoverable brain
I mprovement of cerebral perfusion
The main warning signal of an impending
tissue. 9 Idling damaged neurons are
Rheology for better blood flow
stroke is multiple transient ischemic attacks
found in all types of head injury and
Antiplatelet aggregants
(TIAs). The most important factor in the
Anticoagulants, such as heparin
show reversal of periinfarctional/periin-
stroke-prone profile of a potential victim.
Thrombolytic therapy, such as tissue
jury zones even after 15 years.7 Reported
An educated estimate among medical ex-
plasminogen activator (TPA)
in the literature is a case of restoration of
perts is that approximately 35 of every 100
Vasodilators
vision, years after its loss, by'extracra-
persons who experience TIA will suffer
Cellular protection against
nial-intracranial anastomosisi° and an-
from a lethal or incapacitating stroke with-
hypoxia/ischemia
in 5 years. This number was confirmed
other case of spontaneous arousal from
Calcium channel blockers
from a statistical analysis of stroke patients
long-term coma by reactivation of idling
Barbiturate coma
who visited the Mayo Clinic in Rochester,
neurons, rather than by brain regenera-
Free radical scavengers
Minnesota.
tion. HBOT can bring about such seem-
Lazeroid compound
TIA, a miniature or temporary stroke in
ingly spontaneous corrections.
Drugs to treat risk factors for stroke,
a localized brain area, may last 2-15 min-
Treatment with HBO also has numer-
such as antihypertensives
utes, although it could be prolonged for 24
ous other attributes for the stroke-im-
Drugs against cerebral edema
hours. The individual with TIA usually is
paired individual that cannot be
normal following an attack and does not
Cerebral stimulants to increase
duplicated by any other known drug. For
motor power in hemiplegia
feel any persistent aftereffects. The TIA is
brain pathophysiologies, oxygen under
dangerous, however, since it is produced by
Amphetamine
a blocked blood vessel, a blood clot vascu-
pressure:
Drugs to improve cerebral
l ar spasm, or the buildup of blood fats.
Overcomes ischemia/hypoxia and
metabolism
breaks the ischemic cascade
Neurotropics
Symptoms of TIA to watch for
Reduces cerebral edema, thereby en-
• Disturbed vision in one or both eyes
hancing local blood flow with its im-
Conventional Surgical
• Dizziness
proved nutrient delivery and removal
Interventions for Stroke
• Unconsciousness
of metabolic waste products
Relief of intracranial pressure
• Physical weakening
Restores the integrity of the
Evacuation of intracerebral hematomas
• Difficulty in swallowing
blood-brain barrier and cell mem-
Decompressive craniotomy
• Numbness and spontaneous tingling
branes
Removal of causative lesions
(paresthesia)
Stimulates cell transport mechanisms
Carotid endarterectomy
Embolectomy
and cell metabolism, thereby amelio-
rating local acidosis while improving
Surgical revascularization
HBOV The treatment should be directed
neuronal function and aiding neuronal
Extracranial/intracranial bypass
at potentially reversible brain tissue dam-
plasticity
Rehabilitation
age.
Scavenges free radicals
Physical therapy
Occupational therapy
Because most patients with stroke pos-
Neutralizes toxic amines
Speech therapy
sess idling neurons that are long lasting,
Promotes phagocytosis, fibroblast pro-
there is no time limit for which therapeu-
liferation, and collagen production

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ALTERNATIVE & COMPLEMENTARY THERAPIES-JANUARY/FEBRUARY 1996
Professional Organizations and Information Resources
Ocean Hyperbaric Center
Richard A. Neubauer, M.D., Medical Director
4001 Ocean Drive
Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, FL 33308
(305) 776-5800, (800) 552-0255
Fax: (305) 776-0670
• Stimulates angiogenesis 11
Dr. Neubauer uses six monoplace hyperbaric chambers at his Clinical Baromedical Center,
As an international lecturer on hyper-
I nc. He is past president of the American College of Hyperbaric Medicine, past president of
baric oxygenation and the primary expo-
the Gulf Coast Chapter of the Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society, and previous board
nent of HBOT for stroke management in
chairman of the International Society of Hyperbaric Medicine.
the United States, Dr. Neubauer affirms
that stroke and other brain injuries share
Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society (OHMS)
a common pathophysiology. Therefore,
Leon Greenbaum, Ph.D., Executive Director
successful stroke management should in-
1 0531 Metropolitan Avenue
clude evaluation by initial and delayed
Kensington, MD 20895
SPECT imaging. Identification of poten-
(301) 942-2980
tially recoverable brain tissue warrants
Fax: (301) 942-7804
every effort at restoring a stroke patient to
The UHMS makes available a directory of hyperbaric treatment chambers from around the
good health.
world. There are approximately 200 chamber facilities administering HBOT in the United
States and perhaps 2000 worldwide.
HBOT for Successful
American College of Hyperbaric Medicine
Management of Stroke
Virginia Neubauer, Executive Director
The deficiency of necessary brain oxy-
4001 Ocean Drive
gen in stroke causes neuronal malnour-
Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, FL 33308
(305) 771-4000, (800) 552-0255
ishment and subsequent dysfunction, and
Fax: (305) 776-4682
administration of oxygen under pressure
ACHM members encourage the use of bodies of information on HBOT based on longitudinal
reverses hypoxia for the brain tissues of
data as well as case histories, patient studies, individual patient stories, and other aspects of
stroke patients. The functions of HBOT
the human condition. Double-blind, placebo-controlled studies are not considered mandatory
that ensure the successful recovery of
but are acceptable.
stroke patients include:
Relief of hypoxia-The damage to neu-
The Agency for Health Care Policy and Research (AHCPR) United States Public
rons that accompanies ischemia is
Health Service
repairable if associated hypoxia is cor-
Dr. Clifton R. Gaus, Administrator
rected within a reasonable period of
P.O. Box 8547
time. Because blood flow to the is-
Silver Spring, MD 20907
chemic area cannot be restored imme-
(800) 358-9295
diately, the only way to get oxygen
AHCPR offers guidelines, such as reference books for health professionals and consumers,
into the ischemic tissues is by increas-
written in English or Spanish, which describe poststroke rehabilitation. Request copies from
ing the rate and distance of oxygen dif-
AHCPR Publications Clearinghouse at the above address or telephone number.
fusion through the marginal trickle of
National Institute of Neurological Diseases and Stroke
blood flow. HBO provides the means
9000 Rockville Pike
for increasing the amount of oxygen
Building 31, Room BA 16
carried by the trickling capillaries.
Bethesda, MD
Oxygen delivered under pressure from
(800) 352-9424
a hyperbaric chamber nourishes the

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3 0
ALTERNATIVE & COMPLEMENTARY THERAPIES-JANUARY/FEBRUARY 1996
As a predictive test, response to HBO
is a positive sign of reversibility of the brain lesion
and an indicator of continuing improvement after
cerebral revascularization.
tissues even when there is an absence
zone is a brain area between the nor-
in the chronic poststroke stage, with fixed
of red blood cells. 12
mal and infarcted tissues, it contains
neurologic deficits. 3
Improvement of rnicrocirculation-Fol-
the so-called dormant or idling neu-
In one such study, for example, 35 pa-
lowing a stroke, the patient's microcir-
rons that must be activated to accom-
tients were treated with HBO on an av-
culation is disturbed, particularly in
plish recovery. 16 These neurons are
erage of 10 weeks after their CVIs were
the infarcted area. The treatment ratio-
nonfunctional but remain anatomically
in the chronic poststroke stage of inter-
nale requires improving the microcir-
intact and can be revived.
nal carotid occlusion. HBOT was admin-
culation, and HBOT manages this
Relief of spas ticity-Resistance to pas-
istered to them at 1.5 ATA for 40
correction by reducing blood viscosity,
sive movement of a stroke patient's
minutes daily and continued for 2
decreasing platelet aggregability, in-
li mb that gives way as more pressure
weeks. Fifteen patients improved neuro-
creasing red blood cell deformability,
is applied is known as spasticity. It is
logically, and subsequent extracranial/
and speeding along blood flow in the
the greatest obstacle to proper physical
intracranial (EC/IC) arterial bypass was
tiniest of capillaries. 13
therapy. HBO has proven to be an ef-
performed to enhance their improve-
fective and nontoxic drug and man-
ment. Another 15 patients did not im-
Extravascular diffusion of oxygen-
agement procedure against poststroke
prove from HBOT, and were not
Under hyperbaric conditions, oxygen
spasticity. 17
operated on. Five more patients who did
can diffuse extravascularly. Though
not improve with HBOT underwent
the distance of diffusion is small, the
EC/IC bypass but still did not improve.
extent can be considerable in an organ,
Studies Prove Efficacy
The investigators, therefore, used HBO
such as the brain, which has a rich cap-
Of eight studies carried out on dogs,
as a guideline in the selection of patients
illary network. It relieves hypoxia after
gerbils, rats, and cats in which cerebral
for EC/IC bypass. As a predictive test,
occlusion of the major blood vessels of
ischemia was induced (equivalent to
response to HBO is a positive sign of re-
the brain. 14
stroke in humans), seven revealed reduc-
versibility of the brain lesion and an in-
Relief of cerebral edema-HBOT reduces
tion of the individual animal's symptoms
dicator of continuing improvement after
cerebral edema, is nontoxic, and caus-
following HBOT treatment. 18-25 I n the
cerebral revascularization.27
es vasoconstriction in the affected
one experimental failure, the researchers
In another study, 122 patients in both
brain areas where vasoparalysis and
admitted that cerebral protection was
the acute and the chronic stages of strokes
loss of intercellular fluid occur during
modified by the anesthesia used during
caused by thrombosis were treated with
venous return. Vasoconstriction stops
surgery on the dogs. The anesthetic prob-
HBO after they failed to respond to con-
the slow escape of protein liquid and
ably increased capillary vasoconstriction,
ventional medical and physical therapies.
white blood cells. Administering HBO
thus nullifying the beneficial effects of
At 1.5-2 ATA, HBO was administered
decreases cellular edema and dimin-
HBO.26
with adjusted durations and frequencies
ishes the metabolic acidosis seen in
More than 1000 patients who sustained
according to the patients' current signs of
stroke. 14 In contrast, for reducing
cerebrovascular disease have been treated
i mprovement. The duration of sessions
edema of the brain following stroke,
with HBOT and have shown improve-
was as long as 1 hour and as frequent as
osmotic diuretics and other dehydrat-
ment that ranges from 40 percent to 100
every 6-12 hours. Of 79 people receiving
ing agents cause fluid to withdraw
percent. This remarkable recovery rate,
HBO treatment after the onset of stroke,
from normal brain parts but produce a
reported from a number of clinical stud-
65 percent experienced improvement in
rebound effect after cessation of thera-
ies, was much higher than the rate for
quality of life. The HBOT patients spent
py. Swelling tends to recur. Also, di-
conventional treatment methods of man-
much less time in the hospital-averaging
uretics do not improve oxygenation. 15
aging stroke. It is all the more dramatic
only 177 days-than did other stroke pa-
Activation of dormant neurons in the
when one considers that most of the pa-
tients who received conventional treat
penumbra-Because the penumbra
tients participating in these studies were
ment and remained hospitalized for up t

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ALTERNATIVE & COMPLEMENTARY THERAPIES-JANUARY/FEBRUARY 1996
3 1
The investigator examined his patients inside an
HBO chamber during their treatment and documented
the improvement of motor power and spasticity.
287 days.28 This is an important consider-
using the comparison of CT and technetium-99
Videodensimetric estimation of the protective
effect of hyperbaric oxygen in the ischemic ger-
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11
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Karen Ballen, ALTERNATIVE & COMPLE-
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Inc., 2 Madison Avenue, Larchmont, NY 10538,
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© Copyright 1995 by Dr. Morton Walker.

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