Cold atmospheric pressure plasma therapy (CAPP)
In atomic-molecular perspectice, plasma describes a gaseous mixture of partially charged components such as ions and electrons. As this plasma state can be created via energy delivery to a gaseous state of matter, it is often called the fourth state of matter. Naturally, plasma can be found as lightnings during thunderstorms of as the primary state of matter of the sun or other heated orbs. In fact, we have to assume, that about 99% of visible matter in the galaxy i in plasma state.
In human as well as veterinary medicine, plasma is primarily used due to its excellent disinfecting as well as wound-healing capabilities.
The plasma state can be artificially created for medical usage in the form of cold atmospheric pressure plasma (CAPP). Numerous studies already show that this relatively new, innovative and painless treatment option not just has highly potent antimicrobial activities on a physical basis, but also massively induces wund healing at the same time. cold atmospheric pressure plasma inactivates bacteria (even in cases of high multiresistancy against antimicrobial substances, such as MRSA or Pseudomonas (Alkawareek et al. Eradication of Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms by atmospheric pressure non-thermal plasma. PLoS One 2012; 7: e44289.)), and destroys bacterial biofilms, bacteriophages and bacterial or fungal spores (Klampfl et al. Cold atmospheric air plasma sterilization against spores and other microorganisms of clinical interest. Appl Environ Microbiol 2012; 78: 5077–5082). Furthermore, viral or fungal infections are highly susceptible to cold atmospheric pressure plasma therapy. Moreover, cell-own body elements such as lipids, proteins and DNA are addressed via the CAPP ionized molecules (free radicals, peroxides, reactive species) and the production as well as secretion of growth factors is promoted (Wende et al. Proteomic tools to characterize non-thermal plasma effects in eukaryotic cells. Plasma Med 2013; 3: 81–95). Thus, wound healing is accelerated, i.e. in cases of wound healing disorders the skin recreation can be massively induced and supported.
Until now, there are no known adverse reactions or side effects to this painless therapeutic option, which in most of the cases can be performed without sedation or anesthesia.
Tierklinik Stuttgart Plieningen, Veterinary Specialist Hospital is proud to offer you - especially in times of rising multiresistancy - such an advanced and contemporary medical procedure for disinfection of lesions and wound healing acceleration in healing disorders. Cold atmospheric pressure plasmatherapy can be used in every species. Therapeutic schedules will be individually adapted to the patient, however in most cases a twice- to three-times-weekly protocol for the first 2 weeks and a once-weekly-protocol in the weeks after is recommended.
If you have any questions on cold atmospheric pressure plasma therapy, please do not hesitate to contact us.
