title: The effect of footplate neuromuscular electrical stimulation on venous and arterial haemodynamics.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This pilot study aims to determine the effect of the Revitive™ footplate neuromuscular electrical stimulation device on venous and arterial haemodynamic changes in healthy individuals.
  
  
  METHODS
  The blood flow (cc/min) and time averaged mean velocity (cm/s) of the superficial femoral vein and artery were measured using ultrasound at baseline, 15 min during, and immediately after cessation of the 30 min stimulation cycle. Data were analysed using the Wilcoxon matched-pairs signed rank test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Venous and arterial duplex ultrasound haemodynamic measurements were taken in 10 and 20 healthy volunteers, respectively. Mean age 38.7 (range 21-64), ankle brachial pressure index 0.9-1.0. At 15 min, there was a significant increase in venous median blood flow (88.3 cc/min, p = 0.014) and an increase in time averaged mean velocity (1.13 cm/s, p = 0.065) compared to baseline. Similarly, there was a significant increase in arterial median blood flow (38.7 cc/min, p < 0.0001) and time averaged mean velocity (2.21 cm/s, p = 0.0003) at 15 min compared to baseline. There was no significant difference in venous or arterial measurements compared to baseline after stimulation cessation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Blood flow and time averaged mean velocity increased during neuromuscular electrical stimulation but returned to baseline once stimulation had stopped. By improving blood flow, neuromuscular electrical stimulation has the ability to enhance venous return, counteract venous stasis and improve limb arterial inflow.
authors.affiliation: Academic Section of Vascular Surgery, Imperial College London, London, UK.
authors.forename: Lavanya
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Varatharajan
authors.affiliation: Academic Section of Vascular Surgery, Imperial College London, London, UK.
authors.forename: Katherine
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.affiliation: Academic Section of Vascular Surgery, Imperial College London, London, UK.
authors.forename: Hayley
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Moore
authors.affiliation: Academic Section of Vascular Surgery, Imperial College London, London, UK a.h.davies@imperial.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Alun Huw
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Davies
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001783:Blood Flow Velocity; D004599:Electric Stimulation Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005263:Femoral Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000502:physiology*; D005268:Femoral Vein / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000502:physiology*; D064368:Healthy Volunteers; D006439:Hemodynamics; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011312:Pressure; D012039:Regional Blood Flow; D013997:Time Factors; D018616:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Duplex; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Duplex ultrasound; intermittent pneumatic compression; venous flow