Adjuvant Cerebroprotection Using Normobaric Hyperoxia in Pre-hospital Patients with Suspected Stroke

Stroke is a leading cause of death and disability globally, with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients often benefiting from intravenous thrombolysis and endovascular therapies such as mechanical thrombectomy, which have been shown to improve reperfusion rates. However, despite reperfusion, the proportion of patients with large vessel occlusion achieving a favorable functional outcome, defined as a modified Rankin Scale score of 0-2 at 90 days, remains under 50%. Normobaric hyperoxia (NBO) emerges as a compelling option for cerebral protection. Its neuroprotective mechanisms are thought to include hypoxic tissue rescue, blood-brain barrier preservation, brain edema reduction, neuroinflammation alleviation, mitochondrial function improvement, oxidative stress mitigation, and apoptosis inhibition. NBO's diffusion properties allow it to reach the penumbra before reperfusion, enhancing aerobic metabolism and potentially reducing infarct volume. Its advantages also include low cost, wide availability, and ease of use, making it accessible across various healthcare settings.