Effect of the elastic compression stockings on the calf veins and tissues during a simulated orthostatic test (LBNP).
The objective of the present study was to quantify the effects of elastic compression stockings (ECS) on the leg hemodynamics, the venous return (flow and distensibility) and on the leg superficial tissue thickness.


METHODS
10 healthy women were submitted to LBNP (Lower Body Negative Pressure) tests without then with ECS (French pressure class 1, 2 and 3). The subject was instrumented with Doppler and echographic probes for assessing the femoral artery, the external saphenous and the gastrocnemian vein.


RESULTS
1) At -40 mmHg the heart rate and blood pressure didn't change significantly with or without ECS. 2) The lower limb vascular resistance increased by 20 to 25% (p<0.01) from the initial values (i.e. without depressure) without or with class 1 or 2 ECS, while it increased less (13%, p<0.01) with class 3 ECS. 3) With ECS, the gastrocnemian vein area was reduced by 10 to 15% (p<0.01) from the initial values, in proportion to the ECS class. 4) The maximal distension (cross section) of this vein at -40 mmHg remained similar with or without ECS, but the percent change in vein distension was significantly higher with ECS than without. 5) Only without ECS, the distance between the external saphenous vein and the skin increased by 13% at -40 mmHg (p<0.01) from the initial values (increase of the calf peripheral area by 11% p<0.01). With ECS, there was no increase in distance nor area during LBNP.


CONCLUSIONS
ECS had no effect on the main arterial hemodynamics and venous cross section area, while it prevented liquid stowage into the superficial tissue.
Arbeille
P
P
Unité de Médecine et Physiologie spatiale, CHU Trousseau, 37044 Tours, France.
Becker
F
F
Thiney
G
G
Kerbeci
P
P
Ouchène
A
A
D001783:Blood Flow Velocity; D001794:Blood Pressure; D004244:Dizziness / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004487:Edema / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D005263:Femoral Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006339:Heart Rate; D006439:Hemodynamics; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg; D008150:Lower Body Negative Pressure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000098:blood supply*; D012016:Reference Values; D012039:Regional Blood Flow; D012501:Saphenous Vein / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D053828:Stockings, Compression; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014655:Vascular Resistance