Venous Velocity Increase with a Pneumatic Foot Compression Garment

Abstract

Intermittent compression garments have been widely accepted for prophylaxis of deep venous thrombosis. They have broad applicability in both elective and emergent situations. Development of a new type of garment that acts to compress the plantar plexus of the foot provides a potential method of prophylaxis for patients with contraindications to the traditional calf- or thigh-high garments. Evaluation of the ability of the foot compression garment demonstrates a statistically significant increase in peak femoral venous velocity (40.6 cm/sec) as compared with the resting state (25.9 cm/sec). This increase in femoral venous velocity is comparable to that seen with single-cell compression socks. The authors conclude that the recently introduced foot garment produces increases in peak femoral venous velocity similar to those produced by existing garments and that use of the foot compression garment may provide deep venous thrombosis prophylaxis in patients who previously have not been candidates for a compression garment.