title: Neuromuscular electrical stimulation for thromboprophylaxis: A systematic review.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the effect of neuromuscular electrical stimulation on lower limb venous blood flow and its role in thromboprophylaxis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Systematic review of randomised and non-randomised studies evaluating neuromuscular electrical stimulation, and reporting one or more of the following outcomes: incidence of venous thromboembolism, venous blood flow and discomfort profile.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twenty-one articles were identified. Review of these articles showed that neuromuscular electrical stimulation increases venous blood flow and is generally associated with an acceptable tolerability, potentially leading to good patient compliance. Ten comparative studies reported DVT incidence, ranging from 2% to 50% with neuromuscular electrical stimulation and 6% to 47.1% in controls. There were significant differences, among included studies, in terms of patient population, neuromuscular electrical stimulation delivery, diagnosis of venous thromboembolism and blood flow measurements.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Neuromuscular electrical stimulation increases venous blood flow and is well tolerated, but current evidence does not support a role for neuromuscular electrical stimulation in thromboprophylaxis. Randomised controlled trials are required to investigate the clinical utility of neuromuscular electrical stimulation in this setting.
authors.affiliation: Liverpool Vascular and Endovascular Service, Royal Liverpool University Hospital, Liverpool, UK shahab_hajibandeh@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hajibandeh
authors.affiliation: Liverpool Vascular and Endovascular Service, Royal Liverpool University Hospital, Liverpool, UK.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hajibandeh
authors.affiliation: Liverpool Vascular and Endovascular Service, Royal Liverpool University Hospital, Liverpool, UK.
authors.forename: G A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Antoniou
authors.affiliation: Liverpool Vascular and Endovascular Service, Royal Liverpool University Hospital, Liverpool, UK.
authors.forename: J R H
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Scurr
authors.affiliation: Liverpool Vascular and Endovascular Service, Royal Liverpool University Hospital, Liverpool, UK.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Torella
mesh_terms: D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004599:Electric Stimulation Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D064368:Healthy Volunteers; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D035002:Lower Extremity / Q000098:blood supply*; D064887:Observational Studies as Topic; D010349:Patient Compliance; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011655:Pulmonary Embolism / Q000517:prevention & control; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012107:Research Design; D013923:Thromboembolism; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D054556:Venous Thromboembolism / Q000517:prevention & control*; D020246:Venous Thrombosis / Q000503:physiopathology
chemical_list: D000925:Anticoagulants
keywords: Deep vein thrombosis; mechanical prophylaxis; neuromuscular electrical stimulation; pulmonary embolus; venous thromboprophylaxis