A randomized blinded comparison of two methods used for venous antistasis in tetraplegia.
OBJECTIVE
The hemodynamic effects of slow sequential compression (SCD) were compared with rapid intermittent pulsatile compression (IPC) in subjects with complete tetraplegia.


METHODS
Twenty subjects underwent Doppler examination of the bilateral popliteal and femoral veins. Resting volume flow per minute (VFM), average venous velocity (AVV), and maximal venous velocity (MVV) were measured in both veins. SCD and IPC were then randomly applied to one limb each, followed by repeat Doppler measurements under compression conditions. Doppler spectral recordings were stored for future analysis, and then measured by an investigator blinded to testing conditions (rest versus compression) and device (SCD versus IPC).


RESULTS
Sequential compression and IPC compression both increased popliteal and femoral vein VFM, AVV, and MVV above resting levels (all p's < 0.001). In the femoral vein VFM (p < 0.05) and MVV (p < 0.05) were augmented during IPC compared to SCD compression.


CONCLUSIONS
As MVV best reflects performance effectiveness of compression devices, these data find IPC more effective than SCD for stimulating venous blood flow in subjects with tetraplegia.
Nash
M S
MS
Department of Orthopaedics & Rehabilitation, (Division of Physical Therapy), Coral Gables, FL 33146, USA.
Mintz
C D
CD
Montalvo
B M
BM
Jacobs
P L
PL
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001783:Blood Flow Velocity / Q000502:physiology; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae; D005268:Femoral Vein / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D048228:Intermittent Pneumatic Compression Devices; D008297:Male; D011152:Popliteal Vein / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000502:physiology*; D011782:Quadriplegia / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012039:Regional Blood Flow / Q000502:physiology; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D014463:Ultrasonography; D020246:Venous Thrombosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control