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Evaluation of Pneumatic Compression Devices and Compression Stockings

Source:
Boegli S, Fennell C: Middleton Regional Hospital, Ohio, 1998

Summary:
This study examined the effectiveness of various intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC) devices, on healthy subjects and high risk patients, in mimicking the body’s normal blood flow achieved with dorsiflexion. It also quantified the increase in blood flow with compression stockings alone and in combination with various IPC devices.

Results showed that the Aircast VenaFlow system most closely approximated dorsiflexion. Compression stocking combined with IPC calf or thigh devices did not increase blood flow when compared to IPC alone. Stockings did increase blood velocities when combined with the foot pump device when compared to the foot pump without stockings. There was no difference in performance of the IPC devices when tested on healthy patients compared to testing on high-risk patients.