Which dressings reduce inflammation and improve venous leg ulcer healing

2014 ◽  
Vol 29 (1_suppl) ◽  
pp. 157-164 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joseph D Raffetto
Keyword(s):  
Adult Population ◽  
Clinical Effectiveness ◽  
Compression Therapy ◽  
Venous Hypertension ◽  
Western World ◽  
Venous Leg Ulcer ◽  
Tissue Integrity ◽  
Venous Ulcers ◽  
Eventual Healing ◽  
The Impact

Chronic venous leg ulcers (VLU) affect around 1% of the adult population in the Western world. The impact of VLU is both social and economic, with significant expenditures on active venous ulcers to provide medical treatment and eventual healing. At the core of VLU is venous hypertension which affects the venous macrocirculation. The changes incurred in venous hemodynamics leads to microcirculatory changes affecting the postcapillary venule and surrounding tissues. Inflammation by leukocytes affecting the venous endothelium, promotes a complex cascade and activation of adhesion molecules expression, chemokines and cytokines released, altered growth factor responses, and activation of protease (e.g. tPA) and proteinase (e.g. MMPs) activity that causes dysregulation and compromise of tissue integrity with eventual dermal damage and ulcer development. A critical component to treating VLU is correcting the abnormal venous hemodynamics and compression therapy. Unfortunately, VLU recurrence ranges between 30–70%, and other modalities in therapy along with compression are required. The goal for adjuvant products is to restore the balance from an inflammatory chronic wound to that of a reparative wound that will promote provisional matrix and epithelialization. There are many products on the market that can be used as adjuvant to compression therapy, but it must be recognized that there is a paucity of clinical trials that have evaluated the clinical effectiveness of specific products with clearly defined end points, and most importantly a healed VLU with a low recurrence rate. This review will discuss the fundamentals of VLU inflammation, and evaluate the available literature that may have benefit in reducing inflammation and lead to effective VLU healing.

Compression in leg ulcer treatment: inelastic compression

2014 ◽  
Vol 29 (1_suppl) ◽  
pp. 146-152 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giovanni Mosti
Keyword(s):  
Ulcer Healing ◽  
Healing Rate ◽  
Great Majority ◽  
Compression Therapy ◽  
Venous Hypertension ◽  
Reduced Pressure ◽  
Elastic Compression ◽  
Venous Ulcers ◽  
Arterial Inflow ◽  
Pumping Function

Compression therapy is extremely effective in promoting ulcer healing. Which material to use, if elastic or inelastic, is still a matter of debate. This paper will provide an overview on the recent findings in compression therapy mainly for venous or mixed ulcers which are the great majority of leg ulcers. In this paper it will be demonstrated that inelastic compression has been proved to be significantly more effective than elastic compression in reducing venous reflux, increasing venous pumping function and decreasing ambulatory venous hypertension. In addition it is comfortable, well accepted by patients and achieved an extremely high healing rate in venous ulcers. With reduced pressure inelastic compression is able to improve venous pumping function in patients with mixed ulcers without affecting but improving the arterial inflow. It will be also clearly shown that studies claiming a better effect of elastic compression compared to inelastic in favouring healing rate have significant methodological flaws making their conclusions at least doubtful. In conclusion inelastic- is significantly more effective than elastic compression in reducing ambulatory venous hypertension which is the main pathophysiological determinant of venous ulcers and demonstrated to be very effective in getting ulcer healing. New multicentric, randomized and controlled studies, without methodological flaws, will be necessary to prove that elastic- is at least as effective as inelastic compression or, maybe, more effective.

Compression treatment in venous insufficiency and arterial disease

Phlebologie ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 43 (03) ◽  
pp. 127-133 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Mosti
Keyword(s):  
Elastic Material ◽  
Haemodynamic Effect ◽  
Compression Therapy ◽  
Venous Hypertension ◽  
Venous Leg Ulcer ◽  
Compression Pressure ◽  
Valve Mechanism ◽  
Inelastic Material ◽  
Elastic Stockings ◽  
Venous Disorders

SummaryCompression therapy is one of cornerstone in the treatment of venous and lymphatic disorders.It may be applied by means of different elastic or inelastic stockings, bandages, or other devices. Inelastic material is much more effective improving venous impaired haemodynamics than elastic material. Due to its physical properties inelastic material is able to exert a significantly higher pressure than elastic devices moving to the standing from the supine pressure; furthermore it is able to exert significantly higher pressure peaks during muscle exercise. This high pressure can overcome the intravenous pressure and cause intermittent occlusion of leg veins, restoring a kind of valve mechanism. Elastic material gives way to the muscle expansion during standing and walking and the pressure increase in these conditions is very low. Due to this low increase with muscle activity, elastic material does not exert an intermittent pressure but rather a sustained pressure not able to overcome the intravenous pressure. As a consequence, elastic material is hardly able to influence the venous diameter and its haemodynamic effects are minimal.Compared to elastic, inelastic material is significantly more effective in reducing venous reflux, increasing venous pumping function and reducing ambulatory venous hypertension.Compression therapy proved to be beneficial, over time, in every clinical condition from CEAP C1 to C6.Due to their characteristics and effects, in-elastic compression needs to be applied in the acute stages of venous disorders when a strong haemodynamic effect is necessary, while elastic stockings may be used in the chronic stages to maintain the results and prevent recurrences.A new concept in compression therapy is the inversely graduated compression pressure profile, higher over the calf than over the ankle, also named “progressive compression.” Both specially designed elastic stockings and appropriately applied bandages can exert a progressive compression which showed some interesting outcomes both in experimental and clinical settings in patients with chronic venous disorders and in athletes. Nevertheless its effectiveness in many pathological conditions (oedema treatment, venous leg ulcer, thromboprophylaxis, etc.) needs to be proved in future trials.

scholarly journals Habitual Coffee Consumption Enhances Attention and Vigilance in Hemodialysis Patients

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Petar M. Nikić ◽  
Branislav R. Andrić ◽  
Biljana B. Stojimirović ◽  
Jasna Trbojevic-Stanković ◽  
Zoran Bukumirić
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
Coffee Consumption ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Hemodialysis Patients ◽  
Western World ◽  
Caffeine Intake ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
The Impact

Objective.Coffee drinking is the main source of caffeine intake among adult population in the western world. It has been reported that low to moderate caffeine intake has beneficial effect on alertness and cognitive functions in healthy subjects. The aim of this study is to evaluate the impact of habitual coffee consumption on cognitive function in hemodialysis patients.Methods.In a cross-sectional study, 86 patients from a single-dialysis centre underwent assessment by the Montreal Cognitive Assessment tool and evaluation for symptoms of fatigue, mood, and sleep disorders by well-validated questionnaires. The habitual coffee use and the average daily caffeine intake were estimated by participants’ response to a dietary questionnaire.Results.Sixty-seven subjects (78%) consumed black coffee daily, mostly in low to moderate dose. Cognitive impairment was found in three-quarters of tested patients. Normal mental performance was more often in habitual coffee users (25% versus 16%). Regular coffee drinkers achieved higher mean scores on all tested cognitive domains, but a significant positive correlation was found only for items that measure attention and concentration (P=0.024).Conclusions.Moderate caffeine intake by habitual coffee consumption could have beneficial impact on cognitive function in hemodialysis patients due to selective enhancement of attention and vigilance.

Unna boot therapy impact on wellbeing, hope and spirituality in venous leg ulcer patients: a prospective clinical trial

2020 ◽  
Vol 29 (4) ◽  
pp. 214-220 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elaine Cristina Faria ◽  
Tatiana Loiola ◽  
Geraldo Magela Salomé ◽  
Lydia Masako Ferreira
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trial ◽  
Life Satisfaction ◽  
Negative Affect ◽  
Positive Affect ◽  
Subjective Wellbeing ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
Compression Therapy ◽  
Venous Leg Ulcer ◽  
Care Clinic ◽  
The Impact

Objective: To assess the impact of Unna boot therapy on subjective wellbeing, hope and spirituality in patients with venous leg ulcers (VLU). Method: This was a prospective, descriptive, analytical, multicentre clinical trial conducted in a nursing care and education centre, an outpatient wound care clinic and a primary health care unit in Brazil. Adult patients with VLUs took part in the study. Patients with diabetic foot ulcers and mixed ulcers were excluded. A questionnaire assessing sociodemographic and religious characteristics of patients, the Subjective Wellbeing Scale, the Spirituality Self-Rating Scale (SSRS), and the Herth Hope Index (HHI) were administered to all patients. Results: A total of 60 patients (63.3% female; 86.7% aged ≥60 years) participated. Before Unna boot therapy, 65%, 66.7% and 65% of patients reported a score of one on positive affect, negative affect and life satisfaction, respectively, indicating poor subjective wellbeing. After one month of compression therapy, 66.7%, 50.0%, and 80.0% of patients reported a score of three for each element positive affect, negative affect and life satisfaction, respectively, showing a significant improvement in subjective wellbeing (p=0.029). A significant increase in total SSRS scores (p=0.017) was found between baseline (mean: 9.77) and one month of treatment (mean: 25.47), indicating a significant increase in a sense of spirituality. There was also a significant increase in total HHI values (p=0.009) between baseline (mean: 15.68) and one month of compression therapy (mean: 39.38), suggesting a significant increase in hope among patients. Conclusion: Patients with VLUs treated with Unna boot therapy in this study showed significant improvement in subjective wellbeing, spirituality and hope for cure.

Efficacy of Ultrasound Guided Foam Sclerotherapy of Incompetent Ankle Perforators on Healing of Chronic Venous Ulcers with Deep Venous Reflux. (A Comparative Study)

QJM ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 114 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mahmoud Ahmed Mohamed El-shafei ◽  
Mostafa Soliman Mahmoud Abdelbary ◽  
Mina Gamil Zekri Basta ◽  
Omar Azzam Abdelrahman Ali Abdelrahman
Keyword(s):  
Healing Rate ◽  
Simple Procedure ◽  
Compression Therapy ◽  
Venous Hypertension ◽  
Venous Disease ◽  
Ultrasound Guided ◽  
Foam Sclerotherapy ◽  
Venous Ulcers ◽  
Early Results

Abstract Background Compression therapy is the standard of care for venous ulcers and chronic venous insufficiency, but the treatment of underlying venous disease to relieve venous hypertension appears to improve wound healing and to decrease recurrence. Benefits of saphenous ablation have been well demonstrated; however, evidence for the treatment of incompetent perforating veins is less clear. Objective To assess the benefit of ultrasound-guided sclerotherapy (USGS) of incompetent perforator on healing of chronic venous ulcers. Patients and Methods This is a prospective cohort study which is a double arm clinical study to assess the healing rate for patients after USGFS vs standard compression therapy of patients with incompetent perforators veins within 6 month. Results Our preliminary data add further weight to the suggestion that eradication of SVR by means of UGFS improves CVU outcomes when compared to compression alone. In this regard, UGFS appears to be more effective more than compression therapy does, therefore, appear the more attractive option in this elderly patient population. Furthermore, the follow-up data presented here does suggest long-term healing following UGFS probably requires careful follow-up and, if required. Encouraged by these promising early results the authors have embarked upon a larger study to look at the role of UGFS in the treatment of CVU in greater depth. Conclusion Ultrasound guided foam sclerotherapy of perforator incompetent veins is a welltolerated and effective outpatient procedure. This study presents a patient cohort with limited exclusion criteria, allowing a representative cross section of VLU in general. Because of its higher healing rate and lower RR compared to other therapeutic options, and the improvement in quality of life that it brings, this minimally invasive, easily repeatable procedure may become the treatment of choice for VLU. Foam sclerotherapy is a simple procedure, compared to surgical intervention, no hospitalization, no anesthesia, can be done in outpatient clinic and the patient can return home after 45 min and no work off period. The relative freedom from serious complications and its evident success, makes this modality as a possible candidate for being the first line treatment for venous ulcers.

Therapeutic use of lowmolecular weight heparin for capillaritis alba

Phlebologie ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 37 (05) ◽  
pp. 259-265 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Kutzner ◽  
G. Hesse
Keyword(s):  
Case Studies ◽  
Randomized Study ◽  
Compression Therapy ◽  
Venous Hypertension ◽  
Therapeutic Use ◽  
Prospective Randomized Study ◽  
Anti Inflammatory ◽  
Positive Effect ◽  
Inflammatory Effect

SummaryThe reason of the so called ulcerated capillaritis alba or idiopathic atrophie blanche is vasculopathy caused by severe venous hypertension. Thrombosed and rarificated vessels worsen the oxygenation, increase permanent inflammation and impede the necessary compression therapy. The anti-inflammatory effects of heparin alleviate pain and being independent from the antithrombotic ones it needs much lower doses for treatment. This anti-inflammatory effect is now becoming more important in clinical phlebology. Case studies of more than 50 patients and one prospective randomized study of 87 patients clearly demonstrate the ameliorated healing of ulcerated atrophie blanche. In our office we could document this positive effect with 22 patients. We present the pathophysiology of low molecular heparins for ulcerated capillaritis alba and our own experiences with it.

Healing venous ulcers with different modalities of leg compression

Phlebologie ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 35 (05) ◽  
pp. 349-355 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. O. Brizzio ◽  
G. Rossi ◽  
A. Chirinos ◽  
I. Cantero ◽  
G. Idiazabal ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Wound Care ◽  
Univariate Analysis ◽  
Compression Therapy ◽  
Healing Time ◽  
Clinical Parameters ◽  
Compression Stockings ◽  
Local Pressure ◽  
Ulcer Size ◽  
Venous Ulcers ◽  
Unexpected Findings

Summary Background: Compression therapy (CT) is the stronghold of treatment of venous leg ulcers. We evaluated 5 modalities of CT in a prospective open pilot study using a unique trial design. Patients and methods: A group of experienced phlebologists assigned 31 consecutive patients with 35 venous ulcers (present for 2 to 24 months with no prior CT) to 5 different modalities of leg compression, 7 ulcers to each group. The challenge was to match the modality of CT with the features of the ulcer in order to achieve as many healings as possible. Wound care used standard techniques and specifically tailored foam pads to increase local pressure. CT modalities were either stockings Sigvaris® 15-20, 20-30, 30-40 mmHg, multi-layer bandages, or CircAid® bandaging. Compression was maintained day and night in all groups and changed at weekly visits. Study endpoints were time to healing and the clinical parameters predicting the outcome. Results: The cumulative healing rates were 71%, 77%, and 83% after 3, 6, and 9 months, respectively. Univariate analysis of variables associated with nonhealing were: previous surgery, presence of insufficient perforating and/or deep veins, older age, recurrence, amount of oedema, time of presence of CVI and the actual ulcer, and ulcer size (p <0.05-<0.001). The initial ulcer size was the best predictor of the healing-time (Pearson r=0.55, p=0.002). The modality of CT played an important role also, as 19 of 21 ulcers (90%) healed with stockings but only 8 of 14 with bandages (57%; p=0.021). Regression analysis allowed to calculate a model to predict the healing time. It compensated for the fact that patients treated with low or moderate compression stockings were at lower risk of non-healing. and revealed that healing with stockings was about twice as rapid as healing with bandages. Conclusion: Three fourths of venous ulcers can be brought to healing within 3 to 6 months. Healing time can be predicted using easy to assess clinical parameters. Irrespective of the initial presentation ulcer healing appeared more rapid with the application of stockings than with bandaging. These unexpected findings contradict current believes and require confirmation in randomised trials.

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