Objective: High bacterial load contributes to chronicity of wounds and is diagnosed based on assessment of clinical signs and symptoms (CSS) of infection, but these characteristics are poor predictors of bacterial burden. Point-of-care fluorescence imaging (FL) MolecuLight i:X can improve identification of wounds with high bacterial burden (>10 4 colony-forming unit [CFU]/g). FL detects bacteria, whether planktonic or in biofilm, but does not distinguish between the two. In this study, diagnostic accuracy of FL was compared to CSS during routine wound assessment. Postassessment, clinicians were surveyed to assess impact of FL on treatment plan. Approach: A prospective multicenter controlled study was conducted by 20 study clinicians from 14 outpatient advanced wound care centers across the United States. Wounds underwent assessment for CSS followed by FL. Biopsies were collected to confirm total bacterial load. Three hundred fifty patients completed the study (138 diabetic foot ulcers, 106 venous leg ulcers, 60 surgical sites, 22 pressure ulcers, and 24 others). Results: Around 287/350 wounds (82%) had bacterial loads >10 4 CFU/g, and CSS missed detection of 85% of these wounds. FL significantly increased detection of bacteria (>10 4 CFU/g) by fourfold, and this was consistent across wound types ( p < 0.001). Specificity of CSS+FL remained comparably high to CSS ( p = 1.0). FL information modified treatment plans (69% of wounds), influenced wound bed preparation (85%), and improved overall patient care (90%) as reported by study clinicians. Innovation: This novel noncontact, handheld FL device provides immediate, objective information on presence, location, and load of bacteria at point of care. Conclusion: Use of FL facilitates adherence to clinical guidelines recommending prompt detection and removal of bacterial burden to reduce wound infection and facilitate healing.

Objectives: Perfusion and blood oxygen levels are frequently insufficient in patients with hard-to-heal wounds due to poor circulation, vascular disruption and vasoconstriction, reducing the wound's capacity to heal. This study aimed to investigate the effect of topical oxygen on healing rates in patients with hard-to-heal diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) (i.e., non-responsive over four weeks). Method: This multicentre, open-label, community-based randomised clinical trial compared standard care (SOC) with or without continuous topical oxygen therapy (TOT) for 12 weeks in patients with DFUs or minor amputation wounds. SOC included debridement, offloading with total contact casting (TCC) and appropriate moisture balance. Primary endpoints were the number of patients to achieve complete wound closure and percentage change in ulcer size. Secondary endpoints were pain levels and adverse events. Results: For the study, 145 patients were randomised with index ulcers graded Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) 1 or 2, or Wagner 1 or 2. In the intention-to-treat analysis, 18/64 (28.1%) patients healed in the SOC group at 12 weeks compared with 36/81 (44.4%) in the SOC plus TOT group (p=0.044). There was a statistically significant reduction in wound area between the groups: SOC group mean reduction: 40% (standard deviation (SD) 72.1); SOC plus TOT group mean reduction: 70% (SD 45.5); per protocol p=0.005). There were no significant differences in changes to pain levels or adverse events. Conclusion: This study suggests that the addition of TOT to SOC facilitates wound closure in patients with hard-to-heal DFUs.

Aim: Determine the effectiveness of hypothermically stored amniotic membrane (HSAM) versus standard of care (SOC) in diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs). Methods: A randomized controlled trial was conducted on 76 DFUs analyzed digitally. Results: Cox wound closure for HSAM (38 wounds) was significantly greater (p = 0.04) at weeks 12 (60 vs 38%), and 16 (63 vs 38%). The probability of wound closure increased by 75% (Hazard Ratio = 1.75; 95% CI: 1.16–2.70). HSAM showed >60% reductions in area (82 vs 58%; p = 0.02) and depth (65 vs 39%; p = 0.04) versus SOC. Conclusion: HSAM increased frequency and probability of wound closure in DFUs versus SOC.

CE can identify potential bleeding sources and could have diagnostic utility in patients with end-stage liver disease and chronic anemia after obliterative esophageal variceal therapy.