Foot ulceration usually precedes more serious foot complications such as infection, gangrene or amputation. The risk of developing foot ulcers has been estimated to be higher in individuals with kidney disease. Patients with kidney disease receiving dialysis have an increased prevalence of critical limb ischemia. Carbon dioxide (CO2) foot bathing has been reported to improve subcutaneous microcirculation. The proposed clinical study will evaluate the therapeutic potential of CO2 enriched water (produced by the Carbothera device) on treating foot ulcers in patients with critical limb ischemia and undergoing hemodialysis. Forty individuals how have a distal extremity ulcer who are currently undergoing hemodialysis will participate in this study.
This is a multi-centered, placebo controlled and randomized clinical study designed to evaluate the therapeutic potential of CO2 enriched water on the treatment of distal extremity (foot) ulcers in patients with critical limb ischemia undergoing hemodialysis. Study participants will be patients receiving dialysis at two local hospitals in Winnipeg and will have been diagnosed with CLI and foot ulceration. Patients will be randomized to receive either treatment with CO2-enriched tap water, 1,000-1200 ppm CO2 (TREATMENT GROUP), or non-enriched tap water (CONTROL GROUP), bath therapy at 37ºC on the same day as dialysis (typically 3 times/wk), for 15 min for 4 months,. Blood (approximately 20 ml) will also be collected at baseline and at the end of every month of the treatment period (for a total of 5 collections) for the measurement of the different biomarkers.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
DOUBLE
Enrollment
40
Participants will undergo foot bathing with CO2-enriched tap water (CO2 concentration, 1000-1200 ppm) maintained at a temperature of 37˚C with an immersion time of 15 mins, 3 times per week for 4 consecutive months. Participants will be rested on a chair for 15 min before foot bathing. If participant is undergoing hemodialysis, foot bathing will occur prior to their routine hemodialysis procedure.
Participants will undergo foot bathing with non-CO2-enriched tap water maintained at a temperature of 37˚C with an immersion time of 15 mins, 3 times per week for 4 consecutive months. Participants will be rested on a chair for 15 min before foot bathing. If participant is undergoing hemodialysis, foot bathing will occur prior to their routine hemodialysis procedure.
St. Boniface General Hospital
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
RECRUITINGHealth Sciences Centre- Rehabilitation Hospital
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
RECRUITINGChanges in Ulceration Area, Volume, Depth and Rate
Measurement of ulceration area, volume, depth and rate will be completed at Baseline (Day 1), Week 4, Week 8, Week 12 and Week 16 using an approved (Health Canada) portable hand-held 3D digital wound imaging camera (SilhouetteStar from Aranz Medical, New Zealand).
Time frame: 4 months
Changes in Ankle Brachial Index (ABI)/Blood Flow
A continuous wave, hand held Doppler machine will be used with a blood pressure cuff and a conventional sphygmomanometer to measure the systolic pressure in both the posterior tibial (PT) and dorsalis pedis (DP) arteries. If no PT or DP arterial signals are found, the anterior tibial and/or peroneal artery pressure will be recorded. The ankle systolic pressure and brachial systolic blood pressure will be calculated as ankle systolic pressure/bronchial systolic pressure (ABI). The subject will be asked to rest supine for 10 minutes before ABI measurements. Brachial systolic and diastolic pressures as well as heart rate will be measured. Measurement of ABI will be conducted at Baseline (Day 1), and at weeks 4, 8, 12 and 16.
Time frame: 4 Months
Changes in Degree of Rest Pain
Changes in the degree of rest pain will be measured using the McGill Pain Questionnaire which will be administered at Baseline (Day 1), Weeks 8 and 16.
Time frame: 4 Months
Changes Limb Oxygenation
Changes in limb blood volume and oxygenation will be recorded using noninvasive near infra-red spectroscopy (NIRS). NIRS measures the percentage of hemoglobin oxygen saturation in the microcirculation of tissue up to 3 cm below the skin.
Time frame: 4 Months
Changes in Angiogenesis Marker: vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)
A fasting blood sample will be obtained from the participant at the Baseline Visit (Day 1), and Weeks 4, 8, 12 and 16 visits for the purpose of measurement of the angiogenesis marker: vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF).
Time frame: 4 Months
Changes in Inflammatory Markers: TNFα, IL-6 and C - reactive protein
A fasting blood sample will be obtained from the participant at the Baseline Visit (Day 1), and Weeks 4, 8, 12 and 16 visits for the purpose of measurement of inflammatory markers: TNFα, IL-6 and C - reactive protein.
Time frame: 4 Months
Changes in Markers of Glucose Handling: HbA1c and Fasting Blood Glucose
A fasting blood sample will be obtained from the participant at the Baseline Visit (Day 1), and Weeks 4, 8, 12 and 16 visits for the purpose of measurement of blood glucose and glycated hemoglobin (hemoglobin A1c).
Time frame: 4 Months
Changes in Lipid Profile
A fasting blood sample will be obtained from the participant at the Baseline Visit (Day 1), and Weeks 4, 8, 12 and 16 visits for the purpose of measurement of the participant's lipid profile, specifically, total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, triglycerides.
Time frame: 4 Months
Changes in Use of Bespoke Footwear and/or ability to Walk Barefoot
A patient self-report on the use of bespoke footwear or insoles and the ability to walk barefoot at home will be obtained at the Baseline Visit (Day 1) and at Weeks 8 and 16.
Time frame: 4 Months
Incidence of Amputation
Incidence of amputation of the distal extremity under study will be monitored during participation in the study.
Time frame: 4 Months
Use of Antibiotics Indicated for the Ulcer Treatment
Use of antibiotics indicated for the ulcer treatment during the period of the trial will also be recorded in a questionnaire.
Time frame: 4 Months
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