Possibilities of carboxytherapy for diseases of the cardiovascular system

Abstract

The aim of the study was to analyze the mechanisms of action and pharmacodynamics of carboxytherapy in diseases of the cardiovascular system (CVS). Materials and methods. An analysis of domestic and foreign experience in the use of carboxytherapy for diseases of CVS. Results and discussions. The mechanism of action of carboxytherapy is based on the principle of the introduction of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the patient's body, due to which many pathological disorders can be eliminated. Inhalation and non-inhalation introduction of CO2 into the body has been used for medicinal purposes for many decades. The empirical (off label) use of this therapy in course of time has gained a wide clinical evidence base. There is a large amount of clinical evidence in the world of the effective use of carboxytherapy in many fields of medicine, including those with CVS diseases. It is proved that CO2 introduced into the body penetrates freely through cell membranes and has antihypoxic, vasodilating, antioxidant, anti-ischemic, antispasmodic and other positive effects. Therefore, carboxytherapy contributes to a complex of pharmacological effects inherent of traditional antianginal, hypotensive, antispasmodic and other drugs that are widely used in the treatment of CVS diseases. Conclusions. An analysis of domestic and foreign experience in carboxytherapy shows that the effects of CO2 in diseases of the CVS are achieved by improving oxygenation and microcirculation, anti-anginal, anti-inflammatory, antihypertensive, antispasmodic, anti-oxidant, and analgesic effects of this gas. Carboxytherapy is an alternative, promising and safe method of treating diseases of the cardiovascular system.