Graduated compression stockings reduce the venous velocity augmentation of foot pumps.
The use of the A-V Impulse System of foot pumps and graduated compression stockings to reduce the incidence of thrombo-embolic disease after total hip arthroplasty is well recognised. It is not known if they have a synergistic effect as all clinical trials have used them in combination. We examined the effect compression stockings had on the ability of the A-V Impulse System to accelerate peak venous velocities in the common femoral vein in ten healthy volunteers using a duplex scanner. The use of foot pumps without stockings produced the greatest increase in peak venous velocity and this was 34% greater than using a foot pump with stockings. It is not known if this difference could account for a reduction in thrombo-embolic episodes and so we propose a randomised clinical trial.
Higgs
David
D
Queen Alexandra Hospital, Portsmouth.
Uglow
Michael
M
Fail
Theresa
T
D019644:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip; D001458:Bandages; D001783:Blood Flow Velocity; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D005268:Femoral Vein; D005676:Gravity Suits; D006801:Humans; D012039:Regional Blood Flow; D013923:Thromboembolism / Q000517:prevention & control*