Comparing test methods for moisture-vapor transmission rate (MVTR) for vascular access transparent semipermeable dressings

Abstract

Background: Catheter insertion sites are commonly covered by transparent film dressings, offering protection of the insertion site from external contaminants and securement of the catheter while allowing site observation through a clear window. Currently, there is considerable focus on creating IV film dressings with ever-increasing moisture vapor transmission rates (MVTR) to prevent the accumulation of moisture under the film and reduce the risk of infection. These increasingly high MVTR IV dressings are often promoted as superior to IV dressings with lesser MVTR values. Methods: Since there are different methods to determine MVTR, we chose to test a series of commercially available dressings with two standard methods to compare the results and better understand the information provided by this measurement. We used European Standard EN 13726 to test the MVTR of seven different IV dressings with two different methods (upright and inverted). Results: We measured a range of MVTR values from 773 to 2838 g/m2/day for the upright method and from 845 to 30,530 g/m2/day for the inverted method for the seven IV dressings tested. Three dressings showed statistically different MVTR values with the two test methods. Conclusions: The MVTR test method (upright or inverted) used and considered for IV dressing product selection matters because the results obtained can be very different. We suggest that the upright method is better suited for IV dressings because they are not in constant contact with fluid. We conclude that the inverted method alone is not adequate to compare IV dressings.

A GAVeCeLT bundle for central venous catheterization in neonates and children: A prospective clinical study on 729 cases

“…Either butyl or octyl-butyl cyanoacrylate was indifferently used. The exit site was consistently covered with transparent dressing with high permeability (high MVTR = high Moisture Vapor Transfer Rate) (Tegaderm Advance, 3M; IV3000, Smith & Nephew; SorbaView, Centurion); a value of MVTR > 1500 23 was considered acceptable.…”

Catheter-related complications in onco-hematologic children: A retrospective clinical study on 227 central venous access devices

“…21 Securement was achieved either by skin adhesive sutureless devices (StatLock, BD; GripLok, Zevon) or by subcutaneous anchorage (SecurAcath, Interrad). ( 7) Protection of the exit site using cyanoacrylate glue 22 and semipermeable transparent membranes with high permeability (high MVTR = high Moisture Vapor Transfer Rate) (Tegaderm Advance, 3M; IV3000, Smith & Nephew; SorbaView, Centurion); a value of MVTR > 1500 23 was considered acceptable.…”

“…Protection of the exit site using cyanoacrylate glue 22 and semipermeable transparent membranes with high permeability (high MVTR = high Moisture Vapor Transfer Rate) (Tegaderm Advance, 3M; IV3000, Smith & Nephew; SorbaView, Centurion); a value of MVTR > 1500 23 was considered acceptable.…”

Recent advances in novel materials and techniques for developing transparent wound dressings

“…Extensive research has been conducted to fabricate composite films/membranes as efficient wound dressings. 83,[147][148][149][150][151][152][153][154][155] Patil et al examined a biocompatible and biodegradable novel dressing, blending zinc-oxide nanoparticles embedded in a silk fibroin-polyvinyl alcohol (SF-PVA/ZnO) composite film. The composite film showed excellent mechanical and antibacterial properties due to the ZnO NPs.…”