A Comparative Effect of Various Mechanical Prophylactic Methods for the Prevention of Venous Thromboembolism

Abstract

Various venous flow increasing methods are used to reduce venous thromboembolism, but the data about superiority among these methods is lacking. We evaluated the percent increase in peak venous velocity and venous volume after each methods compared with baseline value in using pulse wave doppler ultrasonography. Twenty limbs in 10 healthy volunteers were studied. We evaluated five methods including raising lower limbs, elastic stocking, foot pump, calf pump, neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) at popliteal vein and seven methods adding dorsiflexion and plantar flexion at common femoral vein.

Excepting spontaneous movements, calf pump was most effective for increasing venous flow velocity and volume. Although not spread to common femoral vein, foot pump had a significant effect and NMES had a modest effect in venous velocity at popliteal vein. Further prospective controlled trial is necessary to clarify the relationship between peak venous velocity, volume and clinical outcomes.