Contraindications

Hyperbaric therapy is one of the safest and most effective medical treatments performed in hospitals today.

Patients are carefully evaluated by our medical staff prior to starting hyperbaric treatment. During this initial evaluation patients are thoroughly informed of any potential complications.

Absolute Contraindications:

Absolute Contraindication

Untreated pneumothorax

Bleomycin

Cisplatin

Disulfiram (Antabuse)

Doxorubicin (Adriamycin)

Mafenide (Sulfamylon)

Necessary Condition Prior to HBOT

Thoracostomy

No treatment for extended time
from use of medication

No treatment for extended time
from use of medication

Discontinue medication

Discontinue medication

Discontinue and remove medication

Reason Contraindicated

Gas embolism; Tension pneumothorax;

Pneumomediastinum

Interstitial pneumonitis

Impaired wound healing

Blocks superoxide dismutase, which
is protective against oxygen toxicity

Cardiotoxicity

Impaired wound healing

Relative Contraindications:

Relative Contraindication

Asthma

Active Cancer

Claustrophobia

Congenital Spherocytosis

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

Eustachian tube dysfunction

High fever

Pacemakers or epidural pain pump

Pregnancy

Seizures

Upper respiratory infection (URI)

Necessary Condition Prior to HBOT

Must be well controlled with medications

No active cancer at time of treatment

Treatment with benzodiazepines

None; HBOT for emergencies only

Observation in chamber

Training, PE tubes

Provide antipyretic

Ensure company has pressure-tested device and learn to what depth

None, but HBOT may be used in

emergencies

Should be stable on medications; may be treated with benzodiazepines

Resolution of symptoms or decongestants

Reason Contraindicated

Air trapping upon ascent leading to pneumothorax

Unknown effect of hyperbaric

oxygen on cancer cells

Anxiety

Severe hemolysis

Loss of hypoxic drive to breathe

Barotrauma to tympanic membrane

Higher risk of seizures

Malfunction or deformation of device under pressure

Unknown effect on fetus
(Previous studies from Russia suggest HBOT is safe.)

May have lower seizure threshold

Barotrauma

Absolute Contraindications:

Absolute Contraindication

Untreated pneumothorax

Bleomycin

Cisplatin

Disulfiram (Antabuse)

Doxorubicin (Adriamycin)

Mafenide (Sulfamylon)

Necessary Condition Prior to HBOT

Thoracostomy

No treatment for extended time
from use of medication

No treatment for extended time
from use of medication

Discontinue medication

Discontinue medication

Discontinue and remove medication

Reason Contraindicated

Gas embolism; Tension pneumothorax;

Pneumomediastinum

Interstitial pneumonitis

Impaired wound healing

Blocks superoxide dismutase, which is protective against oxygen toxicity

Cardiotoxicity

Impaired wound healing

Relative Contraindications:

Relative Contraindication

Necessary Condition Prior to HBOT

Reason Contraindicated

Asthma

Active Cancer

Congenital Spherocytosis

Claustrophobia

High fever

Seizures

Pacemakers or epidural pain pump

Upper respiratory infection (URI)

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

Eustachian tube dysfunction

Pregnancy

Provide antipyretic

Should be stable on medications; may be treated with benzodiazepines

Ensure company has pressure-tested device and learn to what depth

Resolution of symptoms or decongestants

None, but HBOT may be used in

emergencies

Must be well controlled with medications

No active cancer at time of treatment

Treatment with benzodiazepines

None; HBOT for emergencies only

Observation in chamber

Training, PE tubes

Higher risk of seizures

May have lower seizure
threshold

Malfunction or deformation of device under pressure

Barotrauma

Unknown effect on fetus
(Previous studies from Russia suggest HBOT is safe.)

Unknown effect of hyperbaric

oxygen on cancer cells

Severe hemolysis

Anxiety

Loss of hypoxic drive to breathe

Barotrauma to tympanic membrane

Air trapping upon ascent leading to pneumothorax