Does hyperbaric oxygen therapy chambers safe for the operator’s cardiovascular health: an occupational safety issue(perspective)

Background

Noise has adverse effects on the cardiovascular system. Noise occurs during the operation of hyperbaric chambers. In this study, we investigated the impact of noise generated during the operation of hyperbaric chambers on the cardiovascular systems of operators.

Matherials-Methods

Participants were equipped with a portable ECG device. Initially, they waited for 2 h in a quiet environment, followed by 2 h next to the hyperbaric chamber (noisy environment). Systolic and diastolic blood pressure measurements were taken at half-hour intervals using an automatic blood pressure monitor. ECGs were processed for measures of heart rate variability (HRV): the standard deviation of NN intervals (SDNN), the root of the mean squared difference between adjacent normal heart beats (NN) intervals (RMSSD), relative number of successive RR interval pairs that differ >50 msec (pNN50). Heart rates and extra beats were recorded.

Results

Twenty-eight participants were included in this study. There was a statistically significant increase both on sistolic and diastolic blood pressure at 60th minute of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy(HBOT) (respectively p = 0006, p = 0020). Also, sistolic blood pressures were significantly higher at the 120th minute of the HBOT(p = 0017). Total heart beat and SDNN values were statistically significantly decreased during noised exposure (respectively p = 0003, p = 0006).

Conclusions

We observed a statistically significant decrease in SDNN and a significant increase in blood pressure during exposure to hyperbaric chamber noise. The clinical relevance of these findings remains uncertain. Our study suggests that noise may have objective effects on the cardiovascular system in hyperbaric chamber operators.