Abstract
Objective:
To measure the abnormalities of venous function in patients with decompensated heart failure.
Design:
Single group study.
Setting:
Departments of Medicine and Surgery, Lund University Hospital, Lund, Sweden.
Patient:
Forty-seven patients with decompensated heart failure due to myocardial insufficiency.
Interventions:
Conventional medical treatment for decompensated heart failure. The application of graduated compression stockings randomly applied to one leg.
Main outcome measures:
Strain gauge plethysmography assessment of venous capacitance and maximum venous outflow.
Results:
Graduated compression stockings increased venous volume significantly, but did not influence maximum venous outflow.
Conclusion:
The principal effect of compression stockings is probably a direct effect upon the veins in the leg in patients with decompensated heart failure.
Keywords
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