ARTIGO: OXIGENOTERAPIA HIPERBÁRICA

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) has aroused increasing interest as an effective therapeutic intervention in diabetic patients, especially those suffering from chronic complications such as diabetic foot ulcers. This article examines the application of HBOT in this context, highlighting its potential benefits and the mechanisms underlying its therapeutic effects. HBOT involves administering pure oxygen at a pressure higher than atmospheric, resulting in increased levels of dissolved oxygen in the blood plasma. In diabetic patients, chronic hyperglycemia can lead to blood vessel damage, compromising tissue oxygenation and delaying wound healing. HBOT aims to correct this oxygenation deficiency by delivering oxygen at high concentrations and pressures that increase oxygen diffusion in compromised tissues. Clinical studies have shown that HBOT can accelerate the healing of diabetic foot ulcers, reduce the risk of amputation, and improve the quality of life of these patients. In addition, HBOT exerts anti-inflammatory effects and promotes the formation of new blood vessels, which may be crucial to restore compromised tissue perfusion in diabetic patients. Importantly, HBOT is not a monotherapy but rather an integral part of a multidisciplinary treatment plan and should be combined with appropriate glycemic control measures, wound care, antibiotic therapy, and other interventions as needed to optimize clinical outcomes. In summary, HBOT represents a promising approach in the management of chronic complications in diabetic patients, offering potential to improve wound healing, prevent amputations, and improve quality of life. However, more research is needed to fully elucidate the mechanisms of action of HBOT and identify subgroups of patients who will benefit most from this therapy.