Performance characteristics of intermittent pneumatic compression systems

Abstract

Intermittent pneumatic compression is widely used in the prevention of deep vein thrombosis and treatment of chronic oedema and peripheral vascular disease. The effect depends on the ability of the equipment to produce sufficient inflation pressure in the inflatable garment during a specified time interval. The performance characteristics of four intermittent compression systems intended for hospital use were assessed at inflation pressures ranging from 30 to 100 mmHg. Considerable differences in the shape of the pressure/time curves were found between the various machines.

Clinical results from various researchers should, therefore, be interpreted within the context of the equipment performance and the shape of the pressure/time cycles generated by each pump. The characteristics often recommended to produce optimum venous pulsatility and prevention of deep vein thrombosis were achieved by only one of the pumps tested.

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