Factors associated with prevention of postural hypotension by leg compression bandaging.
OBJECTIVE
We evaluated the eventual effects of leg compression on seating-induced postural hypotension (PH) in the context of various relevant clinical variables.


METHODS
Included were 73 hospitalized patients with various acute conditions, aged ≥ 60 years, bedridden for ≥ 8 h, with diagnosed PH [≥ 20 mmHg systolic and/or ≥ 10 mmHg diastolic blood pressure (BP) falls] at the first seating. BP, heart rhythm, dizziness and palpitations were recorded before and during 5 min of sitting. The next day, the patients were reevaluated, this time using compression bandages applied along both legs before seating.


RESULTS
Compared with the non-bandaged state, PH was registered in only 53% of bandaged patients (p < 0.001). Moreover, the appearance of PH symptoms decreased (p < 0.001). On the second day (bandaged), supine diastolic BP values were higher in the persisting vs non-persisting PH group (p = 0.027). In the bandaged state, PH symptoms were significantly reduced in the non-persisting PH group (p = 0.003). Even in patients with persistent PH, the magnitude of BP decline and appearance of PH symptoms were decreased while wearing bandages (p = 0.004 and 0.002, respectively).


CONCLUSIONS
During mobilization of inpatients, leg compression seems to reduce the seating-induced PH and relevant symptoms. Even in patients with persisting PH, bandaging may improve hemodynamics and attenuate associated symptoms.
Department of Internal Medicine "F", Assaf Harofeh Medical Center (affiliated to Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University) , Zerifin , Israel.
Oleg
O
Gorelik
Miriam
M
Shteinshnaider
Irma
I
Tzur
Leonid
L
Feldman
Natan
N
Cohen
Dorit
D
Almoznino-Sarafian
D000368:Aged; D058128:Compression Bandages; D006439:Hemodynamics; D006801:Humans; D007024:Hypotension, Orthostatic / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D007866:Leg / Q000503:physiopathology*
Compression bandages; hypertension; postural hypotension; seating