Vasculitis comprises a heterogeneous group of autoimmune diseases characterised by inflammation of the walls of arteries, veins or capillaries, leading to ischaemia and injury to the organs they supply.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
These conditions are classified according to the size of the affected vessels: large-vessel vasculitis, including Takayasu arteritis and temporal arteritis; medium-vessel vasculitis, including polyarteritis nodosa and Kawasaki disease; and small-vessel vasculitis, including granulomatosis with polyangiitis, microscopic polyangiitis and Henoch\u2013Sch\u00f6nlein purpura.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Clinically, inflammation of the vessel walls may cause narrowing, occlusion or aneurysm formation, resulting in ischaemic effects in the corresponding organs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The kidneys, lungs, skin, nervous system and gastrointestinal tract are among the most frequently affected organs. Treatment usually includes corticosteroids and immunosuppressive medication, but ischaemic injuries that have already developed may require additional management.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The defining feature of vasculitis within the spectrum of autoimmune diseases is the direct ischaemia it causes. Inflammation of the vessel walls narrows the vascular lumen and reduces blood flow to the organs, even while the disease remains active.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This symptomatic ischaemia represents a separate therapeutic target in addition to controlling the underlying autoimmune inflammation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In chronic forms of vasculitis, tissues that have been exposed to prolonged ischaemia may remain inadequately oxygenated and functionally impaired even after the active inflammation has been controlled pharmacologically.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Restoring oxygenation in these tissues is therefore an important step in supporting the long-term recovery of organ function.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The evidence concerning hyperbaric oxygen therapy in vasculitis is drawn mainly from data on ischaemic disorders and cutaneous vasculitis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Clinical reports have documented healing of ischaemic ulcers in patients with cutaneous vasculitis, improvements in neurological function in central nervous system vasculitis and reductions in organ injury among patients who received hyperbaric oxygen therapy alongside immunosuppressive treatment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The principal proposed mechanisms include anti-inflammatory effects through inhibition of NF-\u03baB signalling, improved endothelial function and stimulation of neovascularisation to support collateral circulation in ischaemic areas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In vasculitis, hyperbaric oxygen therapy may be used as an adjunctive intervention at two levels: to address ischaemia affecting target organs during active disease and to support the recovery of damaged tissues that remain inadequately oxygenated after the disease has been brought under control.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Treatment is always coordinated with the rheumatologist, taking into account disease activity and the patient\u2019s medication regimen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A typical treatment course consists of 20 to 40 sessions.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
What Is Vasculitis? Vasculitis comprises a heterogeneous group of autoimmune diseases characterised by inflammation of the walls of arteries, veins or capillaries, leading to ischaemia … <\/p>\n