Definition and Causes
Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is a blockage of the small blood vessels that supply the heart muscle with oxygen. ACS includes
heart attack, called myocardial infarction, and chest pain or discomfort, called angina. People who experience heart attacks
require immediate treatment by emergency medical personnel. Heart attacks often lead to sudden cardiac arrest or cardiac death.
ACS is caused by coronary artery disease (CAD), also called coronary heart disease (CHD). The most common type of heart disease,
CAD is a narrowing of the small blood vessels that supply the heart with oxygen. The narrowed vessels may become clogged with
blood clots or fat deposits circulating with the blood. Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women
in the US.
Hyperbaric Oxygen Approval Status
Treatment with Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) may reduce the risk of dying, the time to pain relief, and the chance of future heart attacks
in people with acute coronary syndrome. HBOT increases the supply of oxygen to the heart and may decrease the area of damage
and death in the heart muscle. More research is needed to confirm the efficacy of HBOT in conjunction with standard regimens
and to identify the types of patients who may benefit the most.
hyperbariclink commentary
This page was created upon the publication of an updated meta-analysis
[Cochrane Review, 2011]
of 6 randomized controlled
trials with 665 participants. This is uncommonly strong rationale for evidence-based hyperbaric medicine. The hyperbaric
community sits up and takes notice when the Cochrane Collaboration, with its sterling reputation and rigorous literature
review methodologies, reports such a compelling body of evidence. ACS is lacking the all-important pivotal clinical trial
for FDA clearance. But soon the healthcare community may add acute coronary syndrome to the growing list of great reasons
to demand 24/7 access to hyperbaric medicine.
Patient Resources
HyperbaricLink recommends the following websites for anyone seeking authoritative information, patient advocacy, and
community support for acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and heart disease.
With a mission to build healthier lives, free of cardiovascular diseases and stroke, the American Heart Association offers
loads of information about ACS and heart disease, with especially fine patient resources through its HeartHub web portal.
Started in 1948, and now a project of the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute and Boston University, the Framingham
Heart Study has followed over 5,000 men and women and their offspring, spanning three generations, living in Framingham,
Massachusetts. The study continues to help researchers identify the major risk factors of cardiovascular disease. The
Framingham website includes risk score calculators and other tools for patients.
Clinical Resources
Start with the following resources to explore current research activities and the peer-reviewed medical literature on
hyperbaric oxygen therapy for acute coronary syndrome (ACS).
ClinicalTrials.gov keeps the official list of human clinical trials currently enrolling, in progress, and recently completed.
One may reasonably question the size and legitimacy of any study not listed here.
Search ClinicalTrials.gov for current studies of coronary + heart + hyperbaric oxygen therapy
An independent, international, nongovernmental organization, the Cochrane Collaboration is a powerful force in evidence-based
medicine. One may consider a Cochrane Reviews article on any HBOT topic required hyperbaric reading.
Read the Cochrane Reviews article
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy for acute coronary syndrome
A specialized Google search engine, Google Scholar indexes scholarly articles, patents, and legal opinions and journals.
Google Scholar may generate excessive search results, but entries provide easy access to full-text journal articles.
Search Google Scholar for "retina" + "hyperbaric oxygen"
HBOEvidence uses computerized tools to appraise the key randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in the hyperbaric medical
literature. One may reasonably question the overall strength of HBOT evidence for any disease or condition not covered here.
Read the HBOEvidence appraisals for treatment of
myocardial ischemia
with hyperbaric oxygen therapy.
PubMed.gov
US National Library of Medicine
National Institutes of Health
PubMed keeps the official list of scientific papers published in reputable peer-reviewed medical journals. One may reasonably question the importance and
legitimacy of any study not listed here.
Search PubMed.gov for journal articles relating to hyperbaric oxygen therapy + coronary + heart
Related Terms
- Angina
- Cardiac arrest
- Cardiovascular disease
- Cholesterol
- Coronary artery disease
- Coronary thrombosis
- Heart attack
- Lipids
- Lipoproteins
- Myocardial infarction
- Myocardial ischemia
- Stroke
- Sudden cardiac death
- Unstable angina
Further Reading
HyperbaricLink suggests
HeartHub
the American Heart Association's patient portal.
