Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Effect in COVID-19 RCT (HBOTCOVID19)

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The 2019-20 coronavirus disease, caused by COVID-19, is an ongoing pandemic.So far, no specific treatment has proven efficacy. Recent case series reported the use of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) on 5 severe COVID-19 patients who developed respiratory insufficiency. HBOT mechanisms of tissue oxygenation and anti-inflammatory effect may explain these findings. The purpose of the current study is the evaluate the efficacy of HBOT in moderate-severe COVID-19 patients in a randomized controlled manner.

Detailed Description
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The 2019-20 coronavirus disease, caused by COVID-19, is an ongoing pandemic. The outbreak started in Wuhan, Hubei province, China, in December 2019 and the World Health Organization (WHO) recognized it as a pandemic on 11 March 2020. Up to Apr 9. 2020 there are more than 2 million confirmed cases, and over 140,000 deaths. In Israel, COVID-19 was confirmed in more 12,000 cases and took the life of 140 victims. There are 323 mild admitted cases, 170 moderate admitted cases and 170 severe admitted cases (16.04.2020) . Even though the general mortality rate is low (0.2-7%, country based), patients who develop Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) have a significantly higher mortality rate, up to 61-90%. COVID-19 ARDS is different, causing a rapidly progressive disease including respiratory insufficiency and pulmonary fibrosis. The mechanism behind isn't clear yet, but evidence points to the direction of an acute cytokines storm which include: IL-2, IL-7, GCSF, InterferonGamma, TNF-alpha, Macrophage chemoattractant protein . Poor prognosis include high levels of IL-6 and Ferritin. More than 160 clinical trials have been registered, but as of April 2020, there is no proven effective treatment. The use of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) includes breathing 100% oxygen in pressures higher than 1 absolute atmospheres (ATA), increasing the amount of oxygen dissolved in the plasma and the different tissues. In the last month, Chen et al. reported a case series of 5 severe COVID-19 patients treated with 3-8 HBOT sessions in addition to the standard therapy. In all cases, they reported an increase in oxygen saturation, arterial oxygen content,lactate levels reduction,fibrinogen levels decrease and increase in lymphocytes number.In addition, the patients chest CT showed improved signs. Symptomatic relief started following the 2nd session. No significant adverse events were reported. These findings may be explained by the known physiological effects of HBOT, related to the SARS-CoV-2 virus pathogenesis: Increased competitive binding of oxygen to the hemoglobin molecule - it has been postulated recently the SARS-CoV-2 bind to the heme component in the hemoglobin molecule and reduces the oxygen affinity to hemoglobin. During HBOT, the increased amount of available oxygen molecules increases the binding to the hemoglobin molecules. This has shown significant beneficial effects in cases of another competitive molecule such as carbon monoxide intoxication. Tissue oxygenation - The oxygen content in the different tissues is multiplied by 25-30 times. This effect has two therapeutic aspects: First, overcoming pulmonary hypoxia (either shunt or VQ mismatch) by increasing the FiO2 significantly. By increasing the pulmonary oxygen gradient, oxygen diffusion increases and can overcome the inflammation in the alveoli and the thickened fibrosis caused by ARDS. Second, during HBOT, the amount of oxygen dissolved in the plasma becomes significant and enables tissue oxygenation without the need of red blood cells. Anti inflammatory - HBOT reduces the following inflammatory cytokines both in the protein level and genes expression (mRNA): IL-2, TNF-alpha, IL-6, IL-1beta. The anti-inflammatory effect has been shown in chronic diseases as well as models of acute infection and massive hemorrhage. The purpose of the current study is the evaluate the efficacy of HBOT in moderate-severe COVID-19 patients in a randomized controlled manner. Protocol Due to the national IRB requirements the protocol includes 2 phases: The first phase includes 5 patients who following signing an informed consent will be treated with 8 sessions of HBOT , 2 sessions per day, in 4 consecutive days. During the sessions, the symptoms and vitals will be monitored. 1 day following the last session, revaluation will be performed. The second phase will include 24 patients, who following signing an informed consent, will be randomized 2:1 to hyperbaric oxygen therapy group and standard of care control group. Following the randomization the patients will undergo baseline evaluation including symptoms, vitals, pulmonary function and blood tests The ratio of arterial oxygen partial pressure (PaO2 in mmHg) to fractional inspired oxygen at 5 days after enrollment was determined as the primary endpoint of the study. However, the ability to draw arterial blood gases with full COVID-19 protection gear was found to be challenging, more than usual inconvenient to the patients and many of the patients asked to avoid it (especially the draw of second arterial blood gas). Therefore, this endpoint was not completed and changed from the original protocol. . The HBOT group patients will undergo 8 sessions of either hyperbaric oxygen therapy, 2 sessions per day, in 4 consecutive days. During the sessions, the symptoms and vitals will be monitored. 1 day following the last session, revaluation will be performed. The control group will continue standard of care and undergo similar vitals and symptoms monitoring. 5 days after baseline evaluation, revaluation will be performed. The long 30 days outcomes of both groups will be collected.

Official Title
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Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Effect in COVID-19 RCT (HBOTCOVID19)

Conditions
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COVID-19, Desaturation of Blood

Intervention / Treatment
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* Device: Hyperbaric oxygen therapy


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Within 7 days of patient's need of oxygen supply Positive SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR At least one risk factor for bad prognosis of COVID-19: Moderate-severe Asthma, Diabetes mellitus, Cardiac conditions (congestive heart failure, coronary disease, cardiomyopathy, pulmonary hypertension), severe obesity (BMI>40), age>65, immunodeficiency, chronic liver disease. Respiratory insufficiency : Room Air SpO2 <94% or PaO2/FiO2<300mmHg Age>18 Ability to sign an informed consent Exclusion Criteria: HBOT contraindication: pneumothorax, pneumomediastinum, claustrophobia, ear/sinus disease which aren't allowed in HBOT, known chronic pulmonary disease: severe emphysema or known pulmonary bullae. Pregnancy Inability to sign an informed consent

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Interventional Model Description: Randomized controlled study
Masking: Single


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Active Comparator: Hyperbaric oxygen therapy<br>8 sessions in 4 days hyperbaric oxygen therapy | Device: Hyperbaric oxygen therapy<br>* 8 sessions in 4 days of breathing 100% oxygen in 2.2 ATA. Each session is 60 minutes. 1 meter/minute compression/decompression<br>|
| No Intervention: Control<br>Standard of care | |

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| SpO2 | Oxygen saturation measured in % by oxygen apparatus | 5 days after randomization | 
| NEWS Score | Early Warning Score (NEWS) calculated by the patient's vitals and condition | 5 days after randomization | 
| Inflammation level -CRP | blood CRP level | 5 days after randomization | 
| white blood cells number | white blood cells number | 5 days after randomization | 
| Cytokines - IL1 | blood IL1 level | 5 days after randomization | 
| Cytokines - IL2 | blood IL2 level | 5 days after randomization | 
| Cytokines - IL6 | blood IL6 level | 5 days after randomization | 
| Cytokines - IL10 | blood IL10 level | 5 days after randomization | 
| Cytokines - TNFalpha | blood TNFalpha level | 5 days after randomization | 
| Inflammation level - procalcitonin | blood procalcitonin level | 5 days after randomization | 
| Inflammation level - ferritin | blood ferritin level | 5 days after randomization | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Symptoms level | Patient's reported symptoms including cough, dyspnea, etc. | 5 days after randomization | 
| Number of patients with IgM seroconversion | number of patients who developed SARS-CoV-2 IgM antibodies | 5 days after randomization | 
| Number of patients with IgG seroconversion | number of patients who developed SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies | 5 days after randomization | 
| FEV1/FVC | Pulmonary function tests performed bedside | 5 days after randomization | 
| Time to symptoms recovery | The measured time the patient suffered symptoms until complete recovery | Within 30 days | 
| Number of patients who required invasive ventilation | The number of patients who required invasive ventilation during the trial | Within 30 days | 
| Time to negative virus PCR | The measured time until the patient had two negative SARS-CoV-2 PCR | Within 30 days | 
| Mortality rate | The number of patients who died | Within 30 days | 
| Number of barotrauma events (safety) | The number of adverse events in each arm | 5 days after randomization |