The pattern of popliteal blood flow following electrical calf muscle stimulation and activation of the venous foot pump were studied using duplex ultrasound scanning in volunteers. The increase in velocity was of a similar magnitude for both methods, but the pattern was different, suggesting that the venous foot pump may not empty the soleal venous sinuses. Dynamic venography confirmed this hypothesis.
HirschJ.LevineM.Prevention of venous thrombosis in patients undergoing major orthopaedic surgical procedures. Br J Clin Pract1989; 65 (suppl.): 2–8.
2.
NicolaidesA.N.MilesG.HoareM. Intermittent sequential pneumatic compression of the legs and thromboembolism deterrent stockings in the prevention of postoperative deep venous thrombosis. Surgery1983; 94: 21–5.
3.
NicolaidesA.N.KakkarV.V.FieldE.S.FishP.Soleal veins, stasis and prevention of deep vein thrombosis. In Thromboembolism: diagnosis and treatment, eds KakkarV.V.JouharA.J., pp. 69–88. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone, 1972.
4.
NicolaidesA.N.Fernandes e FernandesJ.PollackA.V.Intermittent sequential pneumatic compression of the legs in the prevention of venous stasis and postoperative deep venous thrombosis. Surgery1980; 87: 69–76.
5.
CottonL.T.RobertsV.C.The prevention of deep vein thrombosis with particular reference to mechanical methods of prevention. Surgery1977; 81: 228–35.
6.
MacEachernA.G.FoxR.H.GardnerA.M.N.LingR.S.M.The venous foot pump. J Bone Jt Surg1986; 68-B: 667.
7.
GardnerA.M.N.FoxR.H.LawrenceC. Reduction of post-traumatic swelling and compartmental pressure by pneumatic impulse pumping. Unpublished data.
8.
MorganR.H.CarolanG.PsailaJ.V.Increased popliteal artery flow during intermittent impulse compression of the foot in normal subjects and in patients with vascular disease. Unpublished.
9.
KernohanW.G.BrownJ.G.WardP.E.MollanR.A.B.Muscle stimulation for the prevention of venous stasis during surgery. In Progress in bioengineering, Ed. PaulJ.P., pp. 253–5. Bristol: Adam Hilger, 1989.
10.
O'BrienT.E.WoodfordM.IrvingM.H.The effect of intermittent compression of the calf on the fibrinolytic responses in the blood during surgery. Surg Gynaecol Obstet1979; 149: 380–4.
11.
SevittS.GallagherN.Venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism. A clinico-pathological study in injured and burned patients. Br J Surg1961; 48: 475–8.
12.
NicolaidesA.N.KakkarV.V.FieldE.S.FishP.Venous stasis and deep vein thrombosis. Br J Surg1972; 59: 13–5.
13.
DoranF.S.A.WhiteH.M.A demonstration that the risk of postoperative deep venous thrombosis is reduced by stimulating the calf muscles electrically during the operation. Br J Surg1967; 54: 686–9.
14.
NicolaidesA.N.KakkarV.V.FieldE.S.FishP.Optimal electrical stimulus for prevention of deep vein thrombosis. Br Med J1972; 3: 756–8.
15.
BrowseN.L.NegusD.Prevention of postoperative leg thrombosis by electrical muscle stimulation. An evaluation with 125I-labelled fibrinogen. Br Med J1970; 3: 615–8.
16.
DoranF.S.A.WhiteM.DruryM.A clinical trial designed to test the relative value of two simple methods of reducing the risk of venous stasis in the lower limbs during surgical operations, the danger of thrombosis and a subsequent pulmonary embolus with a survey of the problem. Br J Surg1970; 57: 20–30.
17.
BinnsM.PhoR.W.H.Anatomy of the 'venous foot pump'. Injury1988; 19: 443–5.
