Hydrogen gas inhalation (HI) ameliorates cerebral and cardiac dysfunction in animal models of post-cardiac arrest syndrome (PCAS). HI for human patients with PCAS has never been studied. Between January 2014 and January 2015, 21 of 107 patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest achieved spontaneous return of circulation. After excluding 16 patients with specific criteria, 5 patients underwent HI together with target temperature management (TTM). No undesirable effects attributable to HI were observed and 4 patients survived 90 days with a favorable neurological outcome. HI in combination with TTM is a feasible therapy for patients with PCAS.
Tamura T, Hayashida K, Sano M, et al. Feasibility and safety of hydrogen gas inhalation for post-cardiac arrest syndrome: first-in-human pilot study. Circ J. 2016 Jul 25;80(8):1870-3.