Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is generally a relatively safe therapy for various conditions. However, there are some adverse side effects. When adverse, side-effect data was collected from 2009 through 2010 on patients treated in monoplace chambers, it showed side-effect rates estimated around 0.4%. About half of all adverse events fall under the category of "ear pain" and a quarter are classified as "confinement anxiety."

When examining the complications of hyperbaric oxygen treatment, there are two categories: side effects of pressure and side effects of oxygen. The side effect of pressure is barotrauma, which can affect any closed, air-filled cavity (including but not limited to ears, sinus, teeth, lungs, and bowel). The side effects of oxygen can further be subdivided into three categories: pulmonary, neurologic, and ophthalmologic. Confinement anxiety is more an effect of the physical space of the chamber and not a true complication.[1][2][3]

Effects of Pressure

Barotrauma can best be understood by understanding Boyle's Law - P1V1 = P2V2. That is to say, that as pressure increases, volume decreases, and as pressure decreases volume increases. On pressurization of a hyperbaric chamber or "descent," gas-filled spaces contract, requiring equalization. Barotrauma results from an inability to equalize pressure between the environment and the air-filled space in the body, resulting in a “squeeze.”

The most common type of barotrauma involves the middle ear and can cause a range of issues from mild hyperemia of the tympanic membrane (TM) to actual rupture of the TM. These are graded by TEED classifications, from TEED 0 (symptom only, normal exam) to TEED 5 (rupture of TM). For patients who are unable to equalize, either from poor technique or for those who are intubated and sedated, there may be the need for myringotomy before treatment.[4][5][6][7]

Air flows freely in and out of the sinuses. However, air-trapping can happen. Usually, air trapping in the sinuses is secondary to a mechanical obstruction, such as polyps or inflammation. Sinus barotrauma tends to result in sinus pain and swelling, however more significant sequelae reported include cranial nerve symptoms. A tooth "squeeze," resulting from an air pocket in the tooth, either from dental decay or a filling, can be quite painful. On depressurization of the hyperbaric chamber or "ascent," gas expands. In the middle ear, that presents with the feeling of pressure on the tympanic membranes. Usually, the expanded air exits through the eustation tubes; however, if there is significant eustation tube swelling from barotrauma on descent or a misinformed patient who is doing a forceful Valsalva on the ascent, there can be trauma to the TM or the round or oval window of the inner ear.

Air trapping in the lungs or anything that leads to pulmonary over-pressurization including breath holding on depressurization, severe bronchospasm, or a closed glottis from cough fit or seizure can lead to alveolar rupture. The resulting complication depends on where the escaped air dissects to, whether the mediastinum (pneumomediastinum), the visceral pleura (pneumothorax), or the vasculature (arterial gas embolism). These complications are incredibly rare but can be quite serious, particularly if not recognized.

Finally, special consideration needs to be given to any implanted devices a patient may have, as not all are pressure tested. This includes pacemakers, defibrillators, LVADs, among others. In addition, external breast prosthesis, or orbital prosthesis can be affected or damaged. 

Oxygen Toxicity

Oxygen, at high pressures, is a drug. Pulmonary oxygen toxicity is thought to arise from the duration of oxygen exposure and occurs more quickly at higher pressures. It presents as tracheobronchitis, which starts centrally and spreads along the “tracheobronchial tree.” At the mild end of the spectrum, it presents as a cough, can progress to substernal burning, and at the most severe case, involve dyspnea at exertion or rest. The latter is a rare complication and often resolves over several days.[8][9]

In contrast, neurologic effects of oxygen toxicity have more to do with an acutely high partial pressure of oxygen (e.g., a high dose of oxygen) and can be remembered by the acronym, VENTID. This stands for vision (tunnel vision), ears (tinnitus), nausea, twitching (muscle fasciculation), irritability, and dizziness. Also, the most concerning neurologic symptom of neurologic oxygen toxicity is a generalized tonic-clonic seizure. The incidence of these is dose-dependent, overall between 1:5,000 to 1:10,000 treatments and is more common in individuals with lower seizure thresholds (heavy alcohol users, or individuals with epilepsy or diabetes). Fortunately, oxygen toxicity seizures usually stop without the need for medication or intervention, once the patient is breathing air.

Ophthalmologic complications of hyperbaric oxygen therapy are (1) retinopathy of prematurity, (2) cataract formation, and (3) transient myopic change in vision. Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is specifically a risk only for neonates and can result in permanent blindness. Exceptional care should be taken in considering risks and benefits in treated premature infants, with explicit discussion regarding ROP with the parents/guardians. Cataract formation tends to occur only after many hyperbaric treatments (one study showing de novo cataract formation starting after 150 daily treatments), so this does not tend to be an issue for patients who receive the standard between 20 and 60 treatments. However, this should be considered, and the patient should be advised when they receive multiple courses of treatments.

The most common ocular complication of hyperbaric oxygen therapy is myopic change. Traditionally, transient myopic change has been thought to be due to the increased refractive index of the lens. However, the mechanism is still debated. It is thought to be fully reversible after the cessation of hyperbaric oxygen therapy, with the vision rapidly improving after 3 to 6 weeks, however, fully returning to baseline can take as long as 1 year.

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is a relatively safe modality of treatment for various medical conditions which often do not have other effective treatments. However, there are some risks and complications that patients must be made aware of before initiation of HBOT.  While most common complications are relatively benign, such as ear and sinus barotrauma, claustrophobia, and transient myopic change, there do exist serious complications as well. As with all medical therapies to be offered to patients, education of risks and informed consent is key.