title: The physiological impact of intermittent sequential pneumatic compression (ISPC) leg sleeves on cardiac activity.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Pneumatic sleeves are widely used in surgery to prevent venous stasis and to improve cardiac function. The aim of this study was to assess the underlying cardiovascular mechanism induced by the activation of intermittent sequential pneumatic compression (ISPC) in healthy volunteers.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty male subjects underwent transthoracic echocardiographic and tissue Doppler imaging evaluation before and during the activation ISPC devices. Each patient served as his own control.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Following ISPC activation, there were significant increases in cardiac output (from 5.1 to 5.5 L/min, P < .05) and stroke volume (from 72 to 78 mL, P < .002), as well as ejection fraction, the velocity-time integral of aortic flow, and fractional shortening of the left ventricle. There was no increase in heart rate. Tissue Doppler imaging was compatible with normal cardiac responses. Total peripheral resistance was significantly reduced during ISPC activation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The activation of ISPC devices in normal volunteers augmented cardiac output because of increased preload as well as decreased afterload.
authors: Department of Surgery, Western Galilee Hospital, Nahariya, Israel. amitai@netvision.net.il
authors: Amitai
authors: A
authors: Bickel
authors: Alexander
authors: A
authors: Shturman
authors: Ilia
authors: I
authors: Grevtzev
authors: Nathan
authors: N
authors: Roguin
authors: Arieh
authors: A
authors: Eitan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001783:Blood Flow Velocity; D002302:Cardiac Output; D003326:Coronary Circulation; D003971:Diastole; D004452:Echocardiography; D006352:Heart Ventricles / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D048228:Intermittent Pneumatic Compression Devices; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013599:Systole; D018615:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color; D016277:Ventricular Function, Left