Treatment of "Blue toe" syndrome with Hyperbaric oxygen therapy: Case study

Abstract

"Blue toe" syndrome is a relatively rare ischemic disorder produced by occlusion of small blood vessels with fragments of atherosclerotic plaques composed of cholesterol crystals, fatty acids and calcium. It can occur as a complication after endovascular procedures, usually performed on the infra-renal segment of abdominal aorta, as well as in the patients who were under treatment with oral anticoagulant therapy. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOt) is inhaling 100% oxygen under carefully controlled elevated pressure conditions. In Zemun Clinical Hospital, a patient who presented with "blue toe" syndrome, has been treated with HBOt. After the completion of HBOt course, there was an almost complete regression of ischemic changes.