Effect Of Intermittent Pneumatic Compression Research Articles

Effect of intermittent pneumatic compression on venous thrombosis prevention in elder patients with hip fracture deep after operation

Objective To evaluate the safety and efficacy of intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC) in prevention of deep venous thrombosis (DVT) after orthopedic operation of hip fracture in elder patients.Methods From Aug 2007 to Dec 2010,87 patients were assigned randomly into IPC group (n =44) and control group (n =43).Patients received regular DVT prevention in the control group.In the IPC group,IPC was added to the prevention strategy same to control group.The differences of lower limb circumferences and D -dimer in blood plasma of all the patients were tested in the 3th day,7th day and 14th day after surgery.The DVT rates of both groups were accessed by color Doppler ultrasound.Results No significant difference of lower limb circumferences was found between IPC group and control group in the 3th day after the operation (P ＞0.05).The circumference differences of lower limbs in IPC group were significantly smaller than the control group in 7th day and 14th day after the surgery [(2.8698 ±0.8887) vs (3.3558 ±0.9064) cm; t =-2.871,-2.702 ;P ＜0.01].The D-dimer of patients in IPC group was significantly lower than control group in 3th day [(0.6498 ±0.2175) vs (0.7541 ±0.2380) ng/L;t =-2.133,P ＜0.05].There were 20 patients developed DVT,with 14 cases in control group and 6 cases in IPC group.The DVT rate of IPC group was significantly lower than that of control group (13.95％ vs 31.82％;x2 =3.920,P＜0.05).Conclusions This study confirmed the efficacy and safety of the addition of IPC to regular prevention in DVT prophylaxis for elder patients after surgery of hip fracture. Key words: Elder; Hip fracture; Intermittent pneumatic compression; Deep venous thrombosis

Effect of intermittent pneumatic compression on coagulation function and deep venous hemodynamics of lower limbs after rectal cancer resection

To investigate the effects of intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC) on coagulation function, deep venous hemodynamics and prevention of deep venous thrombosis (DVT) of lower limbs in patients after rectal cancer resection. A total of 120 patients undergoing rectal cancer resection were randomly divided into non-IPC group (control group, n=60) and IPC group (n=60). The control group received routine treatment after resection and the IPC group received IPC based on the routine treatments. Prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), fibrinogen (FIB), international normalized ratio (INR) and volume of D-dimer (D-D) were detected before operation and 1-, 3-, 5- and 7-day after operation. Meanwhile, blood flow velocity and caliber of external iliac vein, femoral vein and popliteal vein were examined by color Doppler ultrasound, then the average blood flow velocity and blood flow volume were calculated. Incidence of lower limb DVT was 13.3% (8/60) and 1.7% (1/60) in control group and IPC group respectively with significant difference (P<0.05). The differences in PT, APTT and INR were not significant (P>0.05) at 1-day after operation as compared to the preoperative level, while FIB and D-D both increased (P<0.05), all presented no significant difference among the two groups (P>0.05). PT shortened gradually (P<0.05), APTT and INR did not change significantly (P>0.05), FIB and D-D increased gradually (P<0.05), and no significant differences were found between the two groups at the same time point (all P>0.05). All the above parameters in the control group were significantly lower than those in IPC group (all P<0.05). IPC can improve hemodynamics indexes of deep veins of lower limb in patients after rectal cancer operation, and prevent the lower limb DVT. IPC is a safe, simple and convenient physical therapy.

Use of Intermittent Pneumatic Compression and Not Graduated Compression Stockings Is Associated With Lower Incident VTE in Critically Ill Patients

A limited amount of data exist regarding the effect of intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC) and graduated compression stockings (GCS) on the incidence of VTE in the ICU setting. The objective of this study was to examine the association of mechanical thromboprophylaxis with IPC or GCS with the risk of VTE and hospital mortality among critically ill medical-surgical patients.In this prospective cohort study of patients admitted to the ICU of a tertiary-care medical center between July 2006 and January 2008, we used multiple propensity scores adjustment to examine the association of IPC and GCS with VTE. The primary outcome was incident VTE, including DVT and pulmonary embolism. The following data were collected: patient demographics, admission physiologic data, VTE risk factors, pharmacologic thromboprophylaxis, and mechanical thromboprophylaxis.Among 798 patients enrolled in the study, incident VTE occurred in 57 (7.1%). The use of IPC was associated with a significantly lower VTE incidence compared with no mechanical thromboprophylaxis (propensity scores adjusted hazard ratio, 0.45; 95% CI, 0.22-0.95; P=.04). GCS were not associated with decreased VTE incidence. No significant interaction was found between the mechanical thromboprophylaxis group and the type of prophylactic heparin used (P=.99), recent trauma (P=.66), or recent surgery (P=.07) on VTE risk.The use of IPC, but not GCS, was associated with a significantly lower VTE risk. This association was consistent regardless of the type of prophylactic heparin used and was not modified by trauma or surgical admission.

Effectiveness of intermittent pneumatic compression in reduction of risk of deep vein thrombosis in patients who have had a stroke (CLOTS 3): a multicentre randomised controlled trial

Venous thromboembolism is a common, potentially avoidable cause of death and morbidity in patients in hospital, including those with stroke. In surgical patients, intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC) reduces the risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), but no reliable evidence exists about its effectiveness in patients who have had a stroke. We assessed the effectiveness of IPC to reduce the risk of DVT in patients who have had a stroke. The CLOTS 3 trial is a multicentre parallel group randomised trial assessing IPC in immobile patients (ie, who cannot walk to the toilet without the help of another person) with acute stroke. We enrolled patients from day 0 to day 3 of admission and allocated them via a central randomisation system (ratio 1:1) to receive either IPC or no IPC. A technician who was masked to treatment allocation did a compression duplex ultrasound (CDU) of both legs at 7-10 days and, wherever practical, at 25-30 days after enrolment. Caregivers and patients were not masked to treatment assignment. Patients were followed up for 6 months to determine survival and later symptomatic venous thromboembolism. The primary outcome was a DVT in the proximal veins detected on a screening CDU or any symptomatic DVT in the proximal veins, confirmed on imaging, within 30 days of randomisation. Patients were analysed according to their treatment allocation. ISRCTN93529999. Between Dec 8, 2008, and Sept 6, 2012, 2876 patients were enrolled in 94 centres in the UK. The included patients were broadly representative of immobile stroke patients admitted to hospital and had a median age of 76 years (IQR 67-84). The primary outcome occurred in 122 (8·5%) of 1438 patients allocated IPC and 174 (12·1%) of 1438 patients allocated no IPC; an absolute reduction in risk of 3·6% (95% CI 1·4-5·8). Excluding the 323 patients who died before any primary outcome and 41 without any screening CDU, the adjusted OR for the comparison of 122 of 1267 patients vs 174 of 1245 patients was 0·65 (95% CI 0·51-0·84; p=0·001). Deaths in the treatment period occurred in 156 (11%) patients allocated IPC and 189 (13%) patients allocated no IPC died within the 30 days of treatment period (p=0·057); skin breaks on the legs were reported in 44 (3%) patients allocated IPC and in 20 (1%) patients allocated no IPC (p=0·002); falls with injury were reported in 33 (2%) patients in the IPC group and in 24 (2%) patients in the no-IPC group (p=0·221). IPC is an effective method of reducing the risk of DVT and possibly improving survival in a wide variety of patients who are immobile after stroke. National Institute of Health Research (NIHR) Health Technology Assessment (HTA) programme, UK; Chief Scientist Office of Scottish Government; Covidien (MA, USA).

What influence does intermittent pneumatic compression of the lower limbs intraoperatively have on core hypothermia?

Intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC) devices have been widely used for thrombosis prophylaxis in laparoscopic colorectal surgery. However, periodic compression using an IPC device may inject augmented boluses of cool blood from the lower limbs into the central circulation repetitively, thereby causing a reduction in core temperature. The authors therefore conducted a prospective, randomized, double-blind, controlled study to compare the effects of intraoperative IPC on core temperature in patients undergoing laparoscopic colorectal surgery. For this study, 56 patients ages 18-60 years and scheduled to undergo laparoscopic resection for colorectal cancer under general anesthesia were randomly assigned to receive either no IPC (control group) or calf-thigh-length IPC in both legs using the SCD Express (IPC group). Anesthetic, thermal, and pneumoperitoneum management were standardized. Esophageal temperature, as an indicator of core temperature, was measured at 15-min intervals for 2 h after induction of anesthesia. A total of 47 subjects (23 control and 24 IPC subjects) were included in the analysis. The core temperature drop in the IPC group was significantly greater than in the control group, starting from 45 min after induction of anesthesia (P < 0.05). As a result, the total temperature drop during the 2-h study period was significantly greater in the IPC group (1.2 ± 0.3 °C) than in the control group (0.9 ± 0.3 °C) (P = 0.004). Because intraoperative application of IPC carries an increased risk of a core temperature drop, appropriate temperature monitoring and active thermal management are required for surgical patients receiving IPC.

Intermittent pneumatic compression pump in upper extremity impairments of breast cancer-related lymphedema

To investigate the effect of intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC) pumps on upper extremity impairments in breast cancer-related lymphedema. Materials and methods: Twenty-five patients with lymphedema were randomized into 2 groups. For 3 weeks, the pneumatic compression group (n = 12) underwent a treatment program including skin care, compression bandage, exercise therapy, manual lymph drainage (MLD), and IPC. The control group (n = 13) participated in the same program, but without IPC. The range of motion (ROM) of the upper extremities was measured with goniometry, and dysfunction of the shoulder was assessed with the Constant-Murley scale. Results: Significant improvements were observed in the ROM of the shoulder when we evaluated pre- and posttreatment values within both groups, and the improvements were still significant at 1-month follow-up. Likewise, we found significant differences in the visual analogue scale (VAS) and the Constant-Murley scores in both groups when we compared pre-treatment and posttreatment values, and significant differences were still present at 1-month follow-up. However, there were no significant differences between the groups in the upper limb's ROM, the VAS, or the Constant-Murley scale after the therapy or at the 1-month follow-up. Conclusion: Upper extremity impairments may improve with conservative treatment of lymphedema. However, the addition of IPC to the therapy may not provide any additional benefit for upper extremity impairments.

The effect of sequential intermittent pneumatic compression of foot and calf on popliteal artery mean systolic blood flow in patients with intermittent claudication

To determine the effect of intermittent pneumatic foot and calf compression on popliteal artery mean systolic blood flow in patients with intermittent claudication. The secondary objective was to determine the change in blood flow with posture. This was a cross sectional study carried out on claudication patients at the Vascular Laboratory, Department of General Surgery, Kuala Lumpur Hospital, from January 2009 to August 2009. The effect of posture (supine to sitting to standing) and the effect of intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC) of the foot and calf on popliteal artery flow immediately and 10 minutes post compression were studied. Fifteen patients were studied. There was a consistent drop in flow from supine to sitting and to standing in all patients. Immediately after IPC application there was an increase in flow ranging from 29-335% (p<0.05). Increase in flow was reduced but still sustained after 10 minutes with a flow range of 17-113mL/minute with a median of 63mL/minute (p<0.05). There is a significant reduction in popliteal artery mean systolic flow from supine to sitting and to the standing position, and popliteal artery flow is significantly increased after application of IPC and even persists after 10 minutes.

Acute effects of intermittent pneumatic compression induced hemodynamics on vascular function in humans

Intermittent pneumatic leg compression (IPC) therapy is commonly used to treat symptoms associated with peripheral artery disease. One hypothesis is that IPC increases shear rate (SR) in the arteries and enhances endothelial cell (EC) function. To test this hypothesis we characterized the hemodynamic profile and used flow mediated dilation (FMD) to assess EC function in response to a single session of high frequency (HF) and low frequency (LF) IPC. Eleven male subjects (age: 23.5 ± 4.7 years) underwent an hour of HF (2s inflation/3s deflation) and LF (4s inflation/16s deflation) IPC treatment on separate days. Doppler/ultrasonography of the popliteal artery (PA) was used to measure diameter and blood velocity at the 5th and 45th minute of treatment and to assess FMD pre and post treatment. IPC had no effect on PA FMD (HF: pre: 2.45±.50%, post: 2.76 ±.32%; LF: pre: 3.16±.36%, post: 3.56±.52%). Cuff deflation elevated blood flow (BF) and SR and decreased oscillatory shear index (OSI) from baseline at the onset of both treatments (p&lt;.01). This effect was no longer evident by the 45th minute of HF treatment only. When compared to baseline both treatments significantly reduced BF and SR and increased OSI during cuff inflation (p&lt;.01). In conclusion, a single session of IPC does not acutely impact PA FMD despite significant alterations to the hemodynamic profile during treatment. HL35088 (MHL, BTR); ACSM Research Endowment (SCN)

Using Intermittent Pneumatic Compression Therapy to Improve Quality of Life for Symptomatic Patients With Infrapopliteal Diffuse Peripheral Obstructive Disease

Although the acute effect of intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC) therapy had been documented for patients with symptomatic peripheral arterial obstructive disease (PAOD), its efficacy in improving quality of life (QOL), especially for those with infrapopliteal diffuse lesions, remains unclear. Thirty-one patients with infrapopliteal diffuse or multiple segmental lesions were enrolled in the study. Based on receipt of IPC therapy (3 h daily for 3 months), patients were allocated to a study (n=23) or control (n=8) group. The 6-min walking test, transcutaneous oxygen tension (TcPO₂), and QOL evaluated with the Short-Form 36 questionnaire were measured at the beginning and end of the study. In the QOL analysis, scores for physical functioning, physical and emotional role functioning, bodily pain, and general and mental health showed significant changes after IPC therapy. In the 6-min walking test, duration, and the initial and absolute claudication distances were significantly increased in the study group. The TcPO₂ also significantly increased in the distal end of the target limb after IPC therapy. Patients at high risk for amputation with infrapopliteal diffuse or multiple segmental lesions can improve their walking ability, TcPO₂ of the target limb and QOL after IPC therapy.

Effect of Intermittent Pneumatic Compression of Legs On Blood Nitric Oxide and Brachial Artery Diameter

Effect of Intermittent Pneumatic Compression of Legs On Blood Nitric Oxide and Brachial Artery Diameter

Effect of intermittent pneumatic compression on lower limb deep venous hemodynamics in patients receiving surgery for gastric cancer under laparoscope

Effect of intermittent pneumatic compression on lower limb deep venous hemodynamics in patients receiving surgery for gastric cancer under laparoscope

Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial to Analyze the Effects of Intermittent Pneumatic Compression on Edema Following Autologous Femoropopliteal Bypass Surgery

BackgroundPatients who undergo autologous femoropopliteal bypass surgery develop postoperative edema in the revascularized leg. The effects of intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC) to treat and to prevent postreconstructive edema were examined in this study.MethodsIn a prospective randomized trial, patients were assigned to one of two groups. All patients suffered from peripheral arterial disease, and all were subjected to autologous femoropopliteal bypass reconstruction. Patients in group 1 used a compression stocking (CS) above the knee exerting 18 mmHg (class I) on the leg postoperatively for 1 week (day and night). Patients in group 2 used IPC on the foot postoperatively at night for 1 week. The lower leg circumference was measured preoperatively and at five postoperative time points. A multivariate analysis was done using a mixed model analysis of variance.ResultsA total of 57 patients were analyzed (CS 28; IPC 29). Indications for operation were severe claudication (CS 13; IPC 13), rest pain (10/5), or tissue loss (7/11). Revascularization was performed with either a supragenicular (CS 13; IPC10) or an infragenicular (CS 15; IPC 19) autologous bypass. Leg circumference increased on day 1 (CS/IPC): 0.4%/2.7%, day 4 (2.1%/6.1%), day 7 (2.5%/7.9%), day 14 (4.7%/7.3%), and day 90 (1.0%/3.3%) from baseline (preoperative situation). On days 1, 4, and 7 there was a significant difference in leg circumference between the two treatment groups.ConclusionsEdema following femoropopliteal bypass surgery occurs in all patients. For the prevention and treatment of that edema the use of a class I CS proved superior to treatment with IPC. The use of CS remains the recommended practice following femoropopliteal bypass surgery.

Four Weeks Of Cyclic Mechanical Forearm Compressions Do Not Alter Resting Brachial Artery Hemodynamics

Intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC) therapy has been successfully employed in the treatment of peripheral arterial disease. Surprisingly, there is a paucity of data describing the effects of IPC on resting hemodynamics in the chronically compressed limb. PURPOSE: To determine the impact of 4 weeks of intermittent pneumatic compressions (IPC) in the forearm on resting hemodynamics in the brachial artery (BA). METHODS: Fourteen healthy male subjects (24±1.3 yrs) were randomly assigned to three compression groups: 50, 100, and 150mmHg of IPC in the non-dominant forearm (1h.day-1, 5d.week-1) for 4 weeks. Cyclic IPC were achieved by inflating/deflating (2s on/3s off) two blood pressure cuffs wrapped around the forearm using a rapid cuff inflator unit. In control and intervention arms, BA diameters and velocities (mean, antegrade, and retrograde) were measured with Doppler ultrasound pre and post (4 weeks) IPC. Shear rate (mean, antegrade, and retrograde) as well as oscillatory shear index (OSI) and blood flow were then calculated. RESULTS: In the compressed arm, IPC did not alter BA diameter in the 50 (4.3 ± 0.3, 4.2 ± 0.3 mm), 100 (4.2 ± 0.2, 4.1 ± 0.2 mm), and 150 (3.9 ± 0.3, 3.9 ± 0.3 mm) groups. There was also no significant effect of intervention on mean blood velocity for 50 (4.5 ± 0.9, 3.3 ± 0.4 cm.sec-1), 100 (4.7 ± 0.8, 4.6 ± 0.9 cm.sec-1), and 150 (5.3 ± 2.8, 5.5 ± 0.7 cm.sec-1) and mean blood flow for 50 (39.0 ± 7.7, 26.6 ± 4.4 ml.min-1), 100 (38.1 ± 6.2, 34.9 ± 6.1 ml.min-1), and 150 (33.7 ± 13.6, 41.2 ± 12.2 ml.min-1) in the compressed arm. Peak antegrade shear rates for 50 (364.2 ± 16.7, 380.2 ± 43.6 sec-1), 100 (377.7 ± 56.5, 387.2 ± 53.1 sec-1) and 150 (382.0 ± 32.2, 430.8 ± 29.8 sec-1) and peak retrograde shear rates for 50 (-71.3 ± 17.0, -101.0 ± 16.6 sec-1), 100 (-59.3 ± 12.2, -63.6 ± 24.7 sec-1), and 150 (-84.0 ± 18.5, -82.4 ± 18.9 sec-1) also were unchanged following the IPC intervention. The OSI was also not affected by the intervention at 50 (0.16 ± 0.02, 0.20 ± 0.01) 100 (0.13 ± 0.01, 0.14 ± 0.02), and 150 (0.19 ± 0.03, 0.17 ± 0.03). CONCLUSION: In conclusion, the present study demonstrates that 4weeks of forearm IPC do not impact resting hemodynamics in the brachial artery.

The impact of intermittent pneumatic compression devices on deep venous flow velocity in patients with congestive heart failure

Intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC) has been used to prevent deep venous thrombosis (DVT), but the effects of IPC on the hemodynamics of popliteal and soleal veins, especially in patients with congestive heart failure (CHF) have not been evaluated. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of IPC on the flow velocity of deep veins in the lower extremities and to compare the efficacy of two different types of IPC in deep venous flow enhancement in patients with CHF. Flow velocities of popliteal and soleal veins were recorded in 19 patients with CHF and in 19 control subjects using a high-resolution linear probe. Peak and mean flow velocities were measured (1) at rest, (2) with sequential foot and calf IPC (SFC-IPC) which consists of an electrically driven air compressor and four air chambers, and (3) with impulse foot IPC (IF-IPC) which consists of a pneumatic impulse generator operated at an applied pressure of 130 mmHg. In the resting condition, popliteal venous flow velocity in the CHF group was attenuated (12.8+/-4.7 cm/s vs. 21.1+/-13.5 cm/s; p<0.05). Both SFC-IPC and IF-IPC increased venous velocity, but the increase with IF-IPC in CHF patients was lower than that in control subjects. In the soleal veins, after applying SFC-IPC, the peak and mean velocity in CHF increased to the same extent as in the control group. IF-IPC increased soleal venous velocity in control subjects, but there was no increase in CHF patients. Two-dimensional Doppler scanning revealed a significant increase in the mean and peak velocities in the soleal and popliteal veins with SFC-IPC but not with IF-IPC in patients with CHF. These results indicate that SFC-IPC could have favorable effects in preventing DVT in patients with CHF.

Eficácia da compressão pneumática intermitente (CPI) nos membros inferiores sobre o fluxo sanguíneo das veias femorais comuns

CONTEXTO: A profilaxia do tromboembolismo venoso pode ser feita por métodos farmacológicos ou de forma mecânica, com o uso de meias antitrombo e compressão pneumática (CPI). A CPI é um método mecânico de profilaxia que merece melhor atenção da comunidade médica. OBJETIVO: Avaliar o efeito do uso de compressão pneumática intermitente (CPI) nos pés, pernas e coxas de adultos saudáveis sobre o fluxo sanguíneo nas veias femorais comuns. MÉTODOS: A amostra foi constituída de 10 voluntários (sete mulheres e três homens) adultos (20-40 anos), sem antecedente de tromboembolismo venoso. Após repouso (10 min) em decúbito dorsal, o fluxo sanguíneo era medido (três vezes) por ultra-sonografia vascular na veia femoral, a 1 cm acima da junção safeno-femoral, em ambos os membros, sem controle e com CPI no pé, perna e na coxa. A compressão (130 mmHg no pé e 45 mmHg na perna e na coxa) foi aplicada em ciclos de 11 segundos de compressão e 20-60 segundos de esvaziamento. As aferições de fluxo foram realizadas no pico de fluxo do ciclo de compressão. Os valores foram comparados por análise de variância (teste de Tukey), com p &lt; 0,05 indicando diferença estatisticamente significante. RESULTADO: A utilização de CPI nos membros inferiores, esquerdo e direito, promoveu elevações percentuais relativas no fluxo venoso femoral de 37,6 e 70,8% (pés), 143,9 e 164,7% (pernas) e 132,6 e 128,9% (coxas), respectivamente. As variações foram estatisticamente significantes para as aplicações nas pernas e coxas. CONCLUSÃO: A CPI melhora o fluxo sanguíneo quando aplicada na perna ou na coxa.

A Prospective Study to Determine the Effect of Intermittent Pneumatic Foot and Calf Compression on Popliteal Artery Peak Systolic Blood Flow

Objective This study investigated the effects of posture and also intermittent foot and calf compression on peak systolic flow of the popliteal artery in a normal population. Methods This was a prospective study carried out in normal subjects at the Vascular Laboratory, Department of Surgery, Hospital Kuala Lumpur, from March 2006 to September 2006. The study compared the popliteal artery blood flow during change of posture from the horizontal (supine) to the sitting position and the effect of intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC) of the foot and calf on popliteal artery blood flow immediately and 10 minutes after cessation of compression. Results A total of 15 subjects involving 30 limbs were examined in this study. On comparing flows between the horizontal and sitting position, there was a mean reduction in blood flow of 23% ( p <0.005). Immediately after compression of the foot and calf, there was an increase in blood flow of between 4% and 35% with a mean of 15% ( p <0.05). Peak systolic flows at 10 minutes postcompression were 536 ±95 mL/min, which was still significantly higher than precompression measurements. Conclusion There is a significant reduction in popliteal artery blood flow on changing from the supine to the sitting position. Popliteal artery blood flow is higher than baseline after 15 minutes of intermittent pneumatic foot and calf compression. The increase in popliteal artery blood flow is still present 10 minutes after cessation of IPC.

Use of Intermittent Pneumatic Compression in the Treatment of Venous Ulcers

Venous ulcers affect up to 1% of the population. This review provides the hemodynamic, hematologic and clinical effects of intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC) in the treatment of venous ulcers. It presents the different IPCs and their application on venous disease. It points out that a large randomized study on IPC versus standard four-layer compression in the treatment of venous ulcers is needed. The cost-effectiveness of IPC in the treatment of venous ulcers should also be assessed.

Thromboseprophylaktischer Effekt intermittierend komprimierender, pneumatischer Strümpfe (IPC): Eine systematische Literaturanalyse

Despite changes in patient demographics and short-ened length of hospital stay deep vein thrombosis (DVT) remains a major health care problem which may lead to a variety of other high risk complications. Current treatment guidelines focus on preventive measures. Beside drug therapy, physical measures executed by nursing professionals exist, the outcomes of which are discussed controversially. Based on 25 studies that were found in MEDLINE and the Cochrane library, this systematic literature review identifies the effectiveness of intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC) on thrombosis prophylaxis. In almost all medical settings IPC contributes to a significant reduction of the incidence of DVT. At the same time, IPC has minimal negative side effects and is also cost effective. Correct application of IPC and patient compliance are essential to achieve its effectiveness. An increased awareness within the healthcare team in identifying the risk for and implementing measures against DVT is needed. Guidelines need to be developed in order to improve the effectiveness of thrombosis prophylaxis with the implementation of IPC.

Intermittent pneumatic compression and deep vein thrombosis prevention in postoperative patients

High incidence of venous thromboembolism (VTE) makes prophylaxis, screening and treatment extremely important. Both pharmacological and mechanical techniques can be used to reduce the risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Mechanical methods have been studied much less intensively than pharmacological options. The principal mechanical methods of prophylaxis are graduated compression stockings and intemittent pneumatic compression devices. We conducted a meta-analysis of all randomized controlled trials to determine the effectiveness of intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC) devices in the preventon of DVT in post-surgical patients. The results of this analysis indicate that IPC devices reduced the risk of DVT by 60% when compared with patients with no mechanical or pharmacological prophylaxis. Contemporary randomized trials should be undertaken to test the utility of IPC in medcal patients as well as combined pharmacological plus IPC prophylaxis in both medical patients.

Haemodynamic Effect of Intermittent Pneumatic Compression of the Leg After Infrainguinal Arterial Bypass Grafting

Haemodynamic Effect of Intermittent Pneumatic Compression of the Leg After Infrainguinal Arterial Bypass Grafting