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| Bioengineering Studies of Periodic External Compression as Prophylaxis against Deep Vein Thrombosis - Part I: Numerical Studies |
| Source: Kamm RD. J Biomech Engineering 104(I): 87-95, 1982 |
| Summary: The author states that "external compression in its present form may not be providing the greatest possible level of protection" for the prevention of DVT formation. This is the first in a series of investigations designed to examine the hemodynamic events associated with external limb compression and to determine which procedure for compression may be most effective. The goal of external pneumatic compression is to empty the entire length of the veins "as fully and as rapidly as possible". Computer simulation of flow produced by periodic external compression showed that "uniform compression expels only about 70 percent of the blood volume contained in the large veins… The effectiveness of uniform compression is severely compromised by the formation of a flow-limiting throat at the proximal end of the compression cuff that reduces both the rate at which blood is discharged from the lower leg and the total blood volume removed. Both of these detrimental effects can be avoided by the use of either wavelike or graded compression." |