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Activated Carbon Cloth Dressing Use Associated with Reduction in Protease Levels and Healing of Majority of Chronic, Full-Thickness Lower Extremity Wounds Within Four Weeks: Preliminary Results of a Randomized Pilot Study
INTRODUCTION: Wounds with highly elevated matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are associated with delayed healing. Reducing excessive MMP levels may convert nonhealing wounds to a healing state. A particular activated carbon cloth dressing sequesters and retains MMPs with no detectable concentrations after 24-hour incubation in vitro.
OBJECTIVE: A randomized, prospective study evaluating this dressing versus a nonantimicrobial foam dressing in chronic, full-thickness wounds of the lower extremity is underway that assesses MMP activity levels within the wound bed.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Preliminary results of 9 patients (5 activated carbon cloth dressing; 4 nonantimicrobial foam dressing) who completed the final 4-week follow-up evaluation were analyzed. Wound fluid samples were collected weekly and MMP-9 activity levels were measured by an independent laboratory using standardized protocols.
RESULTS: Mean baseline and final MMP-9 activity levels for the activated carbon cloth group were 0.20 μg/mL (median, 0.06; standard deviation [SD], 0. 27; range, 0.00–0.65 μg/mL) and 0.05 μg/mL (median, 0.05; SD, 0.02; range, 0.03–0.06 μg/mL), respectively, with a mean percent change of -6.5% (median, -25.0; SD, 104.1; range, -90.8%–166.7%). Mean baseline and final MMP-9 activity levels for the nonantimicrobial foam dressing group were 0.18 μg/mL (median, 0.18; SD, 0.25; range, 0.00–0.36 μg/mL) and 0.26 μg/mL (median, 0.26; SD, 0.37; range, 0.00–0.52 μg/mL), respectively, with a mean percent change of 22.2% (median, 22.2; SD, 31.4; range, 0.0%–44.4%). By 4 weeks, wound healing was achieved in 3 (60.0%) patients in the activated carbon cloth dressing group versus 1 (25.0%) patient in the nonantimicrobial foam dressing group.
CONCLUSIONS: This preliminary analysis suggests the activated carbon cloth dressing may be capable of an immediate reduction of MMP-9 activity in wounds that may be maintained throughout duration of use. The majority of wounds treated with this dressing healed within 4 weeks.
CITATION
Liden B, Hartman JF, Wright ML. Activated carbon cloth dressing use associated with reduction in protease levels and healing of majority of chronic, full-thickness lower extremity wounds within four weeks: preliminary results of a randomized pilot study. Poster presented at: Symposium on Advanced Wound Care Fall; November 2-4, 2018; Las Vegas, NV.
Products: Flexzorb (Carbon Cloth Division, Chemviron, Feluy, Belgium)
This abstract was not subject to the WOUNDS peer-review process.
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