Hyperbaric Oxygen Increases Parasympathetic Activity in Professional Divers

The role of autonomic nervous system in hyperoxic bradycardia was evaluated by using the power-spectral analysis of heart-rate variability (HRV). Ten professional divers went through two hyperbaric hyperoxic experiments: (1) hyperbaric oxygen (HBO), 100% oxygen at 2.5 ATA, (2) hyperbaric air (HBAIR), O(2) 21% at 2.5 ATA. Four-minute traces of ECG were registered and subjected to power-spectral analysis. Cardiac conduction parameters were evaluated by a diagnostic 12-lead ECG and arrhythmias by a continuous 3-lead ECG. Statistical analysis was made using analysis of variance for repeated measurements. Heart rate decreased (P < 0. 001), but the response was similar during both treatments (P=0.14). Total power increased significantly more during HBO than HBAIR (P=0.003). High-frequency (HF) power (P < 0.001), Hayano's index (P=0.001) and normalized units of HF power (P=0.002) increased and LF/HF index (P < 0.001) decreased more during HBO than HBAIR. There were no changes in cardiac conduction or incidence of arrhythmias. In conclusion, 100% oxygen at 2.5 ATA caused marked increase in parasympathetic tone compared with 21% oxygen at 2.5 ATA.