Abstract
Objective:
Investigation of the effects of high- and low-ankle-pressure, above- and below-knee compression stockings on the haemodynamics of normal and superficially incompetent venous systems.
Design:
Prospective duplex study of a normal group and a venous incompetence group randomised to high- or low-pressure stockings.
Setting:
Vascular services of a University Hospital.
Subjects:
Six subjects with normal venous haemodynamics (12 limbs) and 12 patients with superficial venous incompetence (20 limbs).
Methods:
Subjects wore below-knee and then above-knee stockings for 1 week each. Duplex scans were performed at the outset and end of the study and on fitting and after wearing each stocking type.
Main outcome measures:
Duplex-derived femoral and popliteal venous velocities were measured and indexed against the initial velocity.
Results:
Below-knee stockings produced only minor changes. Above-knee stockings produced increased velocities in normal subjects. Similar changes were only seen with higher-pressure stockings in patients with incompetence.
Conclusion:
Above-knee, high-ankle-pressure stockings produce increased deep venous flow velocities.
Keywords
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