Hypothermically Stored Amniotic Membrane Shows Promise in Diabetic Foot Ulcer Healing
A multicenter retrospective case series published in Wound Care Professional evaluated the effectiveness of hypothermically stored amniotic membrane (HSAM) in the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs). Conducted across several U.S. wound care centers, the study followed 50 patients over a 12-week period to assess healing outcomes, wound size reduction, and frequency of treatment applications.
Key Highlights:
- Patient Profile: The average patient age was 66.7 years, with 68% male participants. Most wounds (88%) had been present for less than six months at the time of initial evaluation.
- Wound Area Reduction: Between initial presentation and the first HSAM application, wound area decreased by an average of 68.3%, indicating substantial early progress under standard care alone.
- Wound Closure Outcomes: By week 12, 78% of DFUs had completely closed. The median time to full closure was 55 days, with an average of 5.5 HSAM applications per patient, spaced approximately 7.5 days apart.
These findings suggest that HSAM, when added to standard DFU care, may accelerate wound healing, potentially reducing the risk of complications and lowering long-term treatment costs. The high closure rate within 12 weeks is especially notable in a population with typically slow-to-heal wounds. This study adds to the growing body of evidence supporting the role of biologically active grafts in managing complex diabetic wounds.
Read the full article on the Wound Care Professional website.
Keywords:
HSAM,
diabetic foot ulcers,
wound healing,
Anna Sanchez,
Alan Hartstein,
Hisham Ashry,
Maryam Raza