Clinical Research Directory

Field Study on Intravenous Iloprost for Treatment of Severe Frostbite at High Altitude

The goal of this observational study is to learn whether intravenous iloprost treatment for severe frostbite (grades 3-4) is feasible and safe when delivered in pre-hospital, remote high-altitude settings. The main questions it aims to answer are: * Is it feasible to initiate and deliver guideline-based intravenous iloprost for grade 3-4 frostbite at high altitude and what logistical barriers arise? * Does field-based initiation of iloprost increase tissue preservation and reduce amputations (compared to historical cases from similar settings)? Participants receiving Iloprost as part of a frostbite treatment will be followed up after discharge as well as 6, 12 and 18 months to assess tissue preservation and long-term sequelae from the initial frostbite injury.

Epoprostenol Plus Conventional Therapy in COld and Frostbite Injury (ECCO)

Severe frostbite injury can result in significant lifelong disability and amputation. Various medicines, including intravenous vasodilators (prostaglandins/iloprost, pentoxifylline, buflomedil) along with thrombolytics (alteplase), have been described to counter tissue ischemia after rewarming, with poor quality of evidence. An in-class prostacyclin, epoprostenol, has similar pharmacodynamic properties to iloprost including vasodilation and platelet inhibition and has been used in peripheral tissue ischemia such as Raynaud's and scleroderma. In this trial, we will evaluate the effectiveness and safety of epoprostenol treatment for severe frostbite injury in addition to standard of care.

Outcomes From Hyperbaric Oxygen (HBO2) Treatment for Emerging Indications

This study will evaluate the effectiveness of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) on treating emerging indications (i.e., conditions that have shown to potentially benefit from HBOT) using the Multicenter Registry for Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatment. The study team aims to collect ongoing data on how well HBOT treats these emerging indications, and to add these data to the growing HBO Registry. The research team hypothesizes that HBOT will result in improvements of the condition of the various emerging indications.

Comparison of ICG Microangiography and Conventional Angiography in Severe Frostbite

Severe frostbite injury is a significant cause of morbidity in northern climates. Minnesota has some of the highest numbers of severe frostbite injuries in North America. As a result, Regions Hospital has the best opportunity to study this disease process and improve outcomes for frostbite patients. The diagnostic methods for severe frostbite injury vary from institution to institution and there is no standard practice. Commonly utilized methods include conventional angiography, Technetium 99 triple phase bone scans, SPECT studies, Indocyanine Green microangiography, and doppler studies. The proposed pilot study aims to directly compare conventional angiography imaging to ICG microangiography in adult patients with severe frostbite. Severe frostbite is defined as 4th degree: frostbite resulting in vascular occlusion and tissue ischemia. Both imaging modalities have been used for the diagnosis and monitoring of severe frostbite injury but there has never been a study directly comparing these two imaging modalities.

Prevention and Treatment of Frostbite Infection With Antimicrobial Pharmacokinetic Analysis

This study will compare the effectiveness of two different treatments for preventing infection from frostbite injuries. These two treatments are A) aloe vera and B) long-acting silver wound dressings. The investigators will also study the safety and effectiveness of Dalbavancin, an FDA approved antibiotic used for treating people who develop frostbite wound infections, as well as evaluate how frostbite damage to individuals' bodies may affect how fast their kidney clear drugs from their systems.