Compression therapy, widely used for managing conditions like chronic venous insufficiency and lymphedema, poses a complex challenge in patients with heart failure (HF). This presentation explores the dual nature of compression therapy's role in HF management, assessing both its potential benefits and inherent risks. While compression therapy can alleviate symptoms of peripheral oedema and improve quality of life, its application in heart failure patients requires careful consideration due to the risk of precipitating acute decompensation. The presentation will review current evidence, guidelines, and clinical experiences, aiming to reduce the fear of compression therapy by critically examining the therapeutic balance between necessity and danger. This discussion seeks to provide a nuanced understanding for optimising patient outcomes in heart failure care.

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Slough is a well-known feature of chronic wounds. However, the tissue and microbial composition of slough are not well defined. Clinically, it’s difficult to define what is normal slough and identify wounds likely to heal versus deteriorate. Here I will discuss a recent project to comprehensively characterize the human and microbial components of slough. I will present data to suggest that slough itself is a potential biomarkers of wound healing. Collectively, these findings underscore how slough components can help identify wounds at risk of continued impaired healing. Future studies aim to explore these predicted biomarkers in a larger cohort.

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In recent times, there has been an increasing awareness of unnecessary disparities in the skin and wound healing related care for people with different skin tones. This session will cover how to improve the quality and safety of wound healing related care for patients of all skin tones. Practical tips and hints will be provided about the main things to consider when assessing, planning, delivering and evaluating the care given to people with different skin tones to prevent and/or treat wounds. The impact that culture, race, and ethnicity can have on the quality and safety of care that is provided to people with different skin tones will be examined. In sum, this session covers the fundamental aspects of safe high-quality skin and wound care for people of all skin tones.

This session is kindly sponsored by ESSITY. 

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The first talk of the evening will investigate how there has been substantial acknowledgement surrounding the negative impact of pressure ulcers, with numerous incentives to reduce the incidence of injury. However, establishing which mattresses function and perform reliably remains uncertain. Therefore, this session will provide insight into the quality of evidence presented to clinical staff by manufacturers and published articles to help decision-makers recognise validated methods for investigating product performance and enhance their technical competence for patient-focused decisions.

The second talk will be conducted by Joy Tickle who will be speaking on 'Where does Adjunctive Therapy fit in the management of non-healing lower limb wounds.

This session will discuss the management of lower limb wounds that are not following a positive healing trajectory after a minimum of 4 weeks standard of care. It will look at introducing adjunctive therapies for these wounds and explore the therapies available. There will be a particular focus on neuromuscular electrostimulation, a newly available adjunctive therapy for non-healing lower limb wounds.

This session is kindly sponsored by FirstKind.

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