Location
Suwanee, GA
Start Date
17-4-2026 12:00 PM
End Date
17-4-2026 1:00 PM
Description
Case Description/Objective: A 70 y.o. right-handed M who presented to the ED with acute on chronic congestive heart failure that led to ventricular fibrillation (VF) arrest followed by Pulseless Electrical Activity (PEA) that was subsequently complicated by a left radial artery thrombus. Patient developed compartment syndrome that required a fasciotomy and was high risk for transradial amputation. Patient works as a carpenter and did not want to lose his hand; he elected to undergo limb salvage that included Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) at Emory Midtown.
Intervention/Methods: Patient was transferred from sister hospital to Emory Midtown to be able to start inpatient HBOT. He completed 12 treatments while inpatient and completed a total of 40 treatments within 9 weeks. All HBOT were completed at 2.4 ATA, 90-minute treatments with two 10-minute air breaks. Wound care was set up with patient for daily dressing changes. Patient quit smoking during initial hospitalization and did not resume.
Outcome/Results: Patient successfully completed all HBOT and prevented transradial amputations, preserving all his digits. After completing 40 HBOT, patient underwent debridement of dry gangrene and eschar, partial distal phalanx of ring and index fingers, and partial thickness skin graft. Post-therapy, the patient demonstrated improved finger movement, decreased swelling, and progressive soft tissue healing.
Discussion: HBOT is a therapy the facilitates post-therapy and mitigates reperfusion damage to soft tissue and nerves. It works via improved oxygenation concentration to hypoxic wound areas stimulating angiogenesis and microvascular for hypo vascular tissues, enhancing lymphocyte response to infection, and improving pain and edematous response. This case highlights the usage of HBOT in preventing limb amputation, limiting gangrene progression, and improving functional outcomes in severe ischemic injury secondary to arterial thrombosis. In the end, the patient avoided a L transradial amputation that would have impacted ADLs and severely limited ability to return to work as a carpenter given the significant loss of fine motor skills and grip strength associated with transradial amputations.
Embargo Period
6-2-2026
Included in
Prevention of a Transradial Amputation with Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy following a Radial Arterial Thrombus: A Case Report
Suwanee, GA
Case Description/Objective: A 70 y.o. right-handed M who presented to the ED with acute on chronic congestive heart failure that led to ventricular fibrillation (VF) arrest followed by Pulseless Electrical Activity (PEA) that was subsequently complicated by a left radial artery thrombus. Patient developed compartment syndrome that required a fasciotomy and was high risk for transradial amputation. Patient works as a carpenter and did not want to lose his hand; he elected to undergo limb salvage that included Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) at Emory Midtown.
Intervention/Methods: Patient was transferred from sister hospital to Emory Midtown to be able to start inpatient HBOT. He completed 12 treatments while inpatient and completed a total of 40 treatments within 9 weeks. All HBOT were completed at 2.4 ATA, 90-minute treatments with two 10-minute air breaks. Wound care was set up with patient for daily dressing changes. Patient quit smoking during initial hospitalization and did not resume.
Outcome/Results: Patient successfully completed all HBOT and prevented transradial amputations, preserving all his digits. After completing 40 HBOT, patient underwent debridement of dry gangrene and eschar, partial distal phalanx of ring and index fingers, and partial thickness skin graft. Post-therapy, the patient demonstrated improved finger movement, decreased swelling, and progressive soft tissue healing.
Discussion: HBOT is a therapy the facilitates post-therapy and mitigates reperfusion damage to soft tissue and nerves. It works via improved oxygenation concentration to hypoxic wound areas stimulating angiogenesis and microvascular for hypo vascular tissues, enhancing lymphocyte response to infection, and improving pain and edematous response. This case highlights the usage of HBOT in preventing limb amputation, limiting gangrene progression, and improving functional outcomes in severe ischemic injury secondary to arterial thrombosis. In the end, the patient avoided a L transradial amputation that would have impacted ADLs and severely limited ability to return to work as a carpenter given the significant loss of fine motor skills and grip strength associated with transradial amputations.