Intermittent pneumatic compression and deep vein thrombosis prevention in postoperative patients

Abstract

High incidence of venous thromboembolism (VTE) makes prophylaxis, screening and treatment extremely important. Both pharmacological and mechanical techniques can be used to reduce the risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Mechanical methods have been studied much less intensively than pharmacological options. The principal mechanical methods of prophylaxis are graduated compression stockings and intemittent pneumatic compression devices. We conducted a meta-analysis of all randomized controlled trials to determine the effectiveness of intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC) devices in the preventon of DVT in post-surgical patients. The results of this analysis indicate that IPC devices reduced the risk of DVT by 60% when compared with patients with no mechanical or pharmacological prophylaxis. Contemporary randomized trials should be undertaken to test the utility of IPC in medcal patients as well as combined pharmacological plus IPC prophylaxis in both medical patients.