Effects of intermittent pneumatic compression of the calf and thigh on arterial calf inflow: A study of normals, claudicants, and grafted arteriopaths

Abstract

Background. Recent data indicate that intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC) of the foot may offer benefits in patients with intermittent claudication exceeding those of standard medications approved by the Food and Drug Administration. IPC of the foot (IPCfoot) and calf (IPCcalf) increases flow velocity in infrainguinal arterial bypass grafts and thus may prevent arterial thrombosis. Our aim was to evaluate the acute effects of IPC of the thigh (IPCthigh), IPCcalf, and IPC of the thigh and calf (IPCcalf + thigh) in healthy controls, claudicants, and arteriopaths who have undergone infrainguinal bypass grafting for critical or subcritical limb ischemia. Methods. Sixteen limbs of normals (group A), 17 limbs of claudicants (group B), and 16 limbs of arteriopaths (group C) who had undergone infrainguinal autologous revascularization were studied. Blood flow was measured in the limbs of normals and claudicants in the popliteal artery and in the grafts of revascularized limbs by using duplex ultrasonography. Mean velocity (mV), peak systolic velocity, end diastolic velocity (EDV), pulsatility index (PI), and volume flow (Q) were measured in the sitting position at rest and within 10 seconds from the delivery of IPCthigh, IPCcalf, and IPCcalf + thigh, IPC was delivered at maximum inflation and deflation pressures of 120 mm Hg and 0 mm Hg, respectively; inflation and deflation times of 4 and 16 seconds, respectively; and a proximal inflate delay of 1 second (calf compression preceding that of thigh). Results. In all 3 groups with all IPC modes, the Q, mV, and EDV increased while PI decreased (P < .05). IPCthigh was less effective than IPCcalf, but still increased Q (by 114%, 57%, and 59.8% in groups A, B, and C, respectively) and EDV, while decreasing PI in all 3 groups (P < .05). IPCcalf + thigh was the most efficient mode, generating an increase in the median Q of 424% in controls, 229% in claudicants, and 317% in grafted arteriopaths. The addition of IPCthigh to IPCcalf increased the mV and Q in group A (P ≤ .044); the mV, Q, and EDV in group B (P ≤ .03), and mV and PI by 24% and −27% in group C, respectively. Conclusions. IPC applied to the thigh, either alone or in combination with IPCcalf, generates native arterial and infrainguinal autologous graft flow enhancement. The paucity of conservative methods available for lower limb blood flow augmentation may allow IPC of the lower limb to emerge as a reliable, noninvasive therapeutic option, ameliorating claudication and assisting infrainguinal bypass graft flow. IPCthigh adds to the armamentarium of currently known IPC options (foot or calf) promoting its applicability and efficacy. (Surgery 2001;129:188-95.)