title: [Mechanical stimulation of venous blood flow in below-the-knee plaster cast].
abstract: Physical methods became recently more important as an alternative to anticoagulation for prophylaxis of thromboembolism and were studied for their efficacy. The AV-impulse-system proved efficient in reducing thromboembolic complications in patients undergoing hip surgery by increasing the return of venous blood in the deep veins of the leg. In a preclinical trial we studied the influence of the AV-impulse-system and of active forefoot movement on venous blood return in 12 lower extremities of 6 healthy individuals immobilized in below the knee plaster casts. Our results show a significant increase in venous blood flow caused by the AV-impulse-system (p < 0.05) and by active forefoot movements (p < 0.05). Prevention of thromboembolic complications in trauma and orthopaedic patients immobilized in plaster cast seems possible by using the AV-impulse-system which significantly increases the venous blood flow independent from patient compliance.
authors.affiliation: Abteilung für Unfallchirurgie, Universitätsklinikum GHS Essen, Germany.
authors.forename: H J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Kock
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bulitta
authors.forename: K W
authors.initials: KW
authors.lastname: Sievers
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Rudofsky
authors.forename: K P
authors.initials: KP
authors.lastname: Schmit-Neuerburg
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Letsch
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001775:Blood Circulation; D002370:Casts, Surgical; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D005260:Female; D006615:Hip / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008297:Male; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities / Q000295:instrumentation*; D012307:Risk Factors; D013923:Thromboembolism / Q000517:prevention & control*; D018608:Ultrasonography, Doppler; D014680:Veins / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000502:physiology*
vernacular_title: Mechanische Förderung des venösen Rückflusses im Unterschenkelgipsverband.