Hydrogen Gas Reduces Heart Surgery Complications and Stress
- Authors
- D.A. Danilova, Yu.D. Brichkin, A.P. Medvedev, V.V. Pichugin, S.A. Fedorov, E.V. Taranov, E.I. Nazarov, M.V. Ryazanov, G.V. Bolshukhin, A.V. Deryugina
- Journal
- Sovremennye tehnologii v medicine
- Year
- 2021
- DOI
- 10.17691/stm2021.13.1.09
- Study Type
- Human
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Country
- Russia
- Health Condition
- Heart Valve Disease
- Body System
- Cardiovascular
TL;DR
Breathing in molecular hydrogen during heart valve surgery seems to reduce oxidative stress, which could help protect patients' hearts.
Key Finding
Patients who inhaled molecular hydrogen (1.5-2.0% concentration) during heart surgery under cardiopulmonary bypass showed reduced oxidative stress markers compared to those who did not receive hydrogen, with the most pronounced reduction appearing one day after surgery.
Summary
This study examined whether inhaling molecular hydrogen gas during heart valve surgery could reduce oxidative stress (cellular damage caused by harmful molecules called free radicals). Twenty heart surgery patients were divided into two groups: 11 received hydrogen gas mixed into their breathing air during surgery, while 9 did not. Researchers measured markers of oxidative stress in blood samples taken at different time points. Patients who received hydrogen showed lower levels of certain oxidative stress markers, particularly one day after surgery, while the control group showed increases in these markers.
Practical Takeaway
This small human study suggests that inhaling hydrogen gas during cardiac surgery may help reduce oxidative stress, a type of cellular damage. However, this is a preliminary finding from only 20 patients, and more research is needed to determine whether these biochemical changes translate to actual health benefits or improved surgical outcomes. The study does not provide evidence about whether hydrogen would be beneficial outside the surgical setting.
Abstract (excerpt)
The aim of this work was to study the effect of molecular hydrogen on oxidative processes in cardiac surgery patients with acquired valve heart disease applied during surgery under cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Materials and methods: The study involved 20 patients (16 men and 4 women) with acquired…