Active clinical trials for "Wounds and Injuries"

The purpose of this study is to determine whether sildenafil (Viagra®) is effective in improving cerebral blood flow and cerebrovascular reactivity inpatients who have persistent symptoms at least 6 months after a traumatic brain injury (TBI).

Lower limb amputations are performed usually as a last resort in patients with acute and chronic limb ischaemia (CLI) caused by vascular disease, poorly controlled diabetes or, infection. In the period 2003-2008 there were approximately 5,000 amputations per year in the UK. The Centre for Disease Control defines a Surgical Site Infection (SSI) as an infection within 30 days of an operation or up to one year if an implant is left in place and the infection is related to an operative procedure. Figures from the Surgical Site Infection Surveillance reported that the highest rate of surgical site infection was reported in association with lower limb amputation at 13.1%. There is a clear under-representation and the infection rate within our institution is approximately 25% which reflects the infection rate reported in a recent trial by Sadat et al (22.5%) Prevention of surgical site infections is of paramount importance to patients, healthcare providers and policy-makers, as they impact on morbidity and mortality and have significant time and cost implications. Currently there is NO CONSENSUS as to what the best practice is towards antibiotic administration in such patients. From a questionnaire-based audit we performed including vascular departments across the entire country, practice varies in both course duration (single dose → 5 days antibiotic course) as well as choice of antibiotics. The guideline at our institution suggests the 5-day course of antibiotic prophylaxis. The course duration varies depending on the clinical picture as well as microbiology results and recommendations. There are no randomised control trials that have investigated this aspect of patient care. We have set up one such trial and through it, we are looking to establish a standard practice which will hopefully be as beneficial as possible to the patient but also cost-effective for NHS.

In the exploratory multi-center Phase 2 a study safety, tolerability, pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of the Nitric Oxide Synthase inhibitor VAS203 is assessed in patients with moderate and severe traumatic brain injury. Traumatic brain injury patients (32 males) receive 15, 20 and 30 mg/kg VAS203, respectively, by continuous infusion in three cohorts (Cohort 1 open; Cohorts 2 and 3 double blind, randomised placebo-controlled). End of Study for all patients will be Day 14; adverse events and concomitant medications will be documented throughout the study. Objectives are to assess safety and tolerability of VAS203, to evaluate concentrations of metabolites of VAS203 in plasma and microdialysate and to assess pharmacodynamic effects of VAS203 on surrogate parameters. Safety parameter will include vital signs (blood pressure heart rate, respiration rate, oxygen saturation and blood gases), fluid balance, ECG, laboratory examinations (clinical chemistry, liver function, haematology/coagulation, urinalysis, renal parameters) and adverse events. Concentration of VAS203 will be determined in plasma and microdialysate. Pharmacodynamic parameters will include intracranial pressure (ICP), biochemical parameters in microdialysate (nitrite/nitrate, arginine, citrulline, pyruvate, lactate, glucose), Partial Oxygen Pressure in brain parenchyma and Therapy Intensity Level (TIL).

The purpose of this study is to determine if it is practical to treat moderately to severely brain injured patients who have problems with their balance and mobility in a group "boot camp" (3 days a week, 6 hours/day for 4 weeks) exercise class. If they show improvements compared to 4 weeks of not receiving this treatment If electronic daily monitoring of their center of foot pressure during a standardized balance task will allow us to see small changes in ability. A baseline assessment of all outcome measures will be performed. This will be repeated 4 weeks later. The intervention will be delivered (4 weeks) and a follow up assessment of all outcome measures will be performed one week later. A follow up of the Primary outcome measure, the PART-O participation questionnaire will be done 12 weeks later. Participants will attend group therapy consisting of a variety of exercises designed specifically to target balance and mobility deficits and based on the concept that through Repetitive Functional Task Practice (RFTP), recovery of function can occur as the result of neural adaptation. Exercises will be both individualized (delivered in a circuit) and group activities. Supervision and guidance will be provided by a registered Physical Therapist and a Rehabilitation Assistant. During the intervention, the amount and type of RFTP, any adverse events, and any need for extra staff will be recorded on a daily basis. As well, a standardized individualized task will be performed with center of foot pressure recording on a daily basis. Analysis: changes in outcome measures immediately after the non-intervention compared to the after the intervention period will be statistically determined to estimate efficacy of this treatment model. Descriptive measures of RFTP time/day, staffing levels/day and adverse events will be used to support feasibility and safety of this model.

The purpose of this study is to examine whether 40 hyperbaric oxygen sessions has effect on long-term symptoms after brain injury. This study will enroll 90 individuals with persistent problems 6 months to 10 years after a brain injury. These individuals will be randomized to receive either oxygen or air in a pressurized hyperbaric chamber. Participants will receive 40 daily hyperbaric chamber sessions. Participants will have a series of tests and questionnaires before they begin their chamber sessions, after they complete 40 sessions, and 6 months after they joined the study. These tests include computer-based and pencil-and-paper questionnaires and thinking tests, brain imaging, a neurological examination, and an eye exam. Participants will also be asked to provide blood for future research. After the 6-month tests are complete, all participants will receive 40 hyperbaric oxygen sessions, then undergo the same tests at 9 months and 12 months.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the safety of cross sequential escalating doses of AST-OPC1 administered among 5 cohorts at a single time-point between 21 and 42 days post injury, inclusively, to subjects with subacute cervical spinal cord injuries (SCI).

This study will assess the analgesic efficacy of DSG 1% compared to placebo in the reduction of the pain associated with acute blunt trauma injuries.

The investigators plan to compare the incidence of successful placement of epidural pain catheters versus paracostal catheters for the control of pain and prevention of pulmonary complications for adult trauma patients with blunt chest wall trauma resulting in multiple rib fractures. When a trauma patient has > or = to 3 rib fractures on the same side, is being admitted to the Surgical ICU, and is encountered within 72 hours from the time of their injury, they will be eligible for the study. If they (or a proxy) choose to participate, consent will be obtained and they will randomly be assigned to receive either an epidural or paracostal catheter for pain control. The aim of the study is to determine if paracostal catheters are noninferior to epidurals for controlling pain in multisystem trauma patients. Secondarily the investigators will evaluate success and time of placement of the assigned intervention and follow the patient throughout their hospital course to compare the success of analgesia provided by each modality along with any complications and/or benefits of the two types of catheters.

The objectives of this pilot study are to: (1) evaluate acute effects of biofeedback and mindfulness training on pain, anxiety, and stress during a hand therapy visit and (2) gain understanding of patient perceptions, preferences, and experiences with mind-body interventions.

The purpose of the research is to assess the effects of Aquacel Ag+ Extra dressing on chronic wound bacterial biofilms