Cold atmospheric plasma to improve cannulation-site wound healing after extracorporeal life support

Investigating the Impact of Cold Atmospheric Plasma Treatment on Wound Healing at Cannulation Sites in Patients Following Extracorporeal Life Support

NA · National Taiwan University Hospital · NCT07501897

This trial will test whether adding cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) to standard wound care helps adults on extracorporeal life support heal cannulation-site wounds faster and with fewer infections.

Quick facts

PhaseNA
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment65 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorNational Taiwan University Hospital (other)
Locations1 site (Taipei)
Trial IDNCT07501897 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This is a randomized, controlled trial enrolling adults on extracorporeal life support (ECLS) who have cannulation-site wounds. Participants are randomized 1:1 to receive standard wound care alone or standard care plus topical cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) applied at predefined intervals using a medical device. Outcomes include quantitative bacterial burden (fluorescence imaging and cultures), cytokine analysis of wound exudate, clinical wound-healing scores, wound surface measurements, time to epithelialization, need for surgical debridement, infection incidence, and safety monitoring. The study aims to determine whether CAP reduces biofilm and inflammation and accelerates healing in this high-risk population.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Adults aged 18 or older who are receiving extracorporeal life support and have a cannulation-site wound requiring wound care, without severe local dermatologic disease or prohibitive coagulopathy and with expected survival beyond 48 hours, are ideal candidates.

Not a fit: Patients with severe pre-existing skin conditions at the cannulation site, significant coagulopathy that precludes local intervention, those receiving other experimental wound therapies, or those with life expectancy under 48 hours may not benefit or be eligible.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, CAP could speed wound closure, reduce infection and biofilm burden, and lower the need for additional procedures in ECLS cannulation-site wounds.

How similar studies have performed: Smaller clinical and preclinical studies have shown CAP can reduce bacteria and promote healing in chronic and acute wounds, but its specific use for ECLS cannulation sites is relatively novel and not yet widely studied.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Age ≥ 18 years
* Receiving extracorporeal life support (ECLS)
* Presence of cannulation site wound requiring wound care

Exclusion Criteria:

* Pre-existing severe dermatological conditions at the cannulation site
* Severe coagulopathy precluding local intervention
* Concurrent receipt of other experimental wound treatments
* Life expectancy \< 48 hours

Where this trial is running

Taipei

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.

View on ClinicalTrials.gov →

Conditions: ExtraCorporeal Life Support, Wound Infection, Surgical Site Infection, Delayed Wound Healing, Biofilm-Associated Infection, Extracorporeal Life Support, cold atmospheric plasma

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.