Previous animal data showed that platelets contain
growth factors that stimulate capillary endothelial migration (angiogenesis), fibroblast proliferation and migration, and
collagen synthesis. This study utilized autologous platelet-derived wound healing factors (
PDWHF) to treat 49 patients with chronic nonhealing cutaneous
ulcers. Patients were classified on the basis of 20 clinical and
wound status parameters to generate a
wound severity index. Forty-nine patients--58% diabetic (20% with renal transplants); 16% with
trauma,
vasculitis, etc.; 14% with
decubitus ulcers; and 6% each with venous stasis or arterial insufficiency--with a total of 95
wounds had received conventional
wound care for an average of 198 weeks (range: 1-1820 weeks). After informed consent was obtained, patients received autologous
PDWHF. Mean 100% healing time for all patients was 10.6 weeks. There was no abnormal tissue formation,
keloid, or hypertrophic
scarring. A multivariant analysis showed a direct correlation to 100% healing with initial
wound size and the initiation of
PDWHF therapy. This is the first clinical demonstration that locally acting
growth factors promote healing of chronic cutaneous
ulcers.