The effects of combined hyperbaric oxygenation and erythropoietin therapy in treatment of heart failure

Abstract

Abstract It well known that hyperbaric oxygenation (HBO) and erythropoietin (EP) are growth factors. Because of that, it is logical to apply them together as a therapeutic procedure in the regeneration and recovery of the heart muscle. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy has increased the amount of oxygen which “presents” to cardiac muscle, while the use of EP is reduced the intensity of apoptosis of heart muscle. The aim of this study was to analyze if combined therapy of HBO and EP can be usefulness in patients (pts) with heart failure (HF), especially in chronic type of HF. Material and methods The study was designed as a cross-sectional study in the field of new procedures of HF treatment. From January 2017 to January 2019, there were analyzed 92 patients (pts) with chronic HF. There were more men (69.6%). All pts were divided in two groups: Group I – 72 pts (78.3%) with ischemic HF and Group II – 20 pts (21.7%) with non-ischemic HF. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy protocol was defined as protocol for pts with sever cardiac diseases (total of 15 treatment, once daily, on pO2 1.3–1.7 ATA). Recombined EP was administered deeply subcutaneous, every second day 2000 IU, until dose of 18000 IU. In all pts, on admission and one month after therapy, next procedures were arranged: hemoglobin level, distribution of NYHA class, 6-minutes walking test and EF (by radionuclide ventriculography). Results There were no differences between two groups in gender (p=0.0170) and hemoglobin level before and after therapy (p=0.4400). There were significant changes in distribution of NYHA class in both group of pts, from NYHA class III to NYHA class I and II (p=0.0179) one month after therapy, as well as in 6-minutes walking test one month after therapy (p=0.0148), too. Ejection fraction was significantly better in both groups of pts, one month after therapy (p=0.0040). Conclusion The results of this study open up completely new aspects of the combined use of comparative therapeutic procedures with significant final positive effect in the treatment of chronic HF, ischemic, as well as in non-ischemic type of HF. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: None.