Abstract
Venous stasis caused by immobility is an important risk factor for deep vein thrombosis (DVT) following surgery, in bed-ridden medical patients, and in long distance travelers. To prevent venous stasis and then DVT, intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC) and graduated compression stocking (GCS) are widely applied. IPC is thought to prevent venous stasis by intermittent external compression, and GCS is thought to shift superficial venous flow to the deep vein by continuous external compression. On the other hand, muscle contraction itself can increase blood flow by autoregulation and can prevent venous stasis by muscle pump. Recently, we proposed a new device which is constructed by GCS and electrical muscle stimulation of calf muscles (active stocking, patent 2003-206335). In the present study, effectiveness of ICP, GCS, and active stocking on deep venous hemodynamic was examined using color Doppler imaging in 7 healthy volunteers (male=5, female=2, age: 18-37 years). Subjects have no history of DVT, peripheral arterial disease, or venous insufficiency. IPC and GCS increased femoral venous blood flow by 13 ± 6, and 17 ± 7%, respectively. On the other hand, active stocking elicited a significantly larger increase in femoral venous blood flow (56 ± 10%) compared to IPC and CGS. Thus, active stocking might have potential for preventing DVT by improving deep venous hemodynamic. To test this, clinical trials are needed. [Jpn J Physiol 54 Suppl:S91 (2004)]
