HVPC Flashcards
Describe HVPC and what it hopes to accomplish
It is an electrical current that uses a high intensity but short pulse duration to obtain a physiological response.
HVPC encounters ______ tissue impedance, which makes it…
lower.
Comfortable and effective
HVPC used to be called…
“High volt pulsed galvanic current” and “electro-galvanic current”
HVPC is DC or AC?
DC
HVPC is characterized by…
Twin peaked monophasic pulsed current driven by a high voltage (100-500 v)
What is the strongest support for clinical use of HVPC?
Treatment of dermal wounds
Examples of dermal uses for HVPC
Pressure and decubitis ulcers
Diabetic foot ulcers
Purulent septic abscesses
What is another primary indication for clinical use of HVPC?
Decreasing soft tissue edema
When the body’s endogenous bioelectric system fails and cannot assist the wound repair process…
externally applied therapeutic current can be delivered into the wound tissue, serving to mimic the failed natural current
When does bioelectric wound healing best occur?
When the wound tissue is moist
How does polarity effects theory work?
By applying a particular polarity directly over a wound site, the clinician can create a specific environment that will promote wound healing or kill bacteria that is preventing a wound from healing
Tissue effects under the anode?
Dehydrates and hardens tissue
Vasoconstricts and stops bleeding
Blood clot formation around the wound
Attracts macrophages and promotes epithelial growth
Tissue effects under the cathode?
Liquefies and softens tissue
Vasodilates and increases blood flow
Causes bleeding
Stimulates fibroblast growth, collagen production, epidermal cell migration, and inhibits bacterial growth
What is the clinical relevance of the fact that HVPC is direct current?
That it can cause burns easier than AC
What are all the indications for HVPC?
Wound healing
Edema control
Pain control
