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Compression stockings and venous function in patients with acute myocardial infarction
1Department of Medicine, Central Hospital, Halmstad, Sweden.
Insights
Graded compression stockings significantly increased calf venous volume in patients with acute myocardial infarction. This intervention may improve venous function and potentially reduce deep vein thrombosis risk.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Vascular Physiology
Background:
- Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) patients are at risk for venous thromboembolism.
- Calf venous function may be compromised in AMI patients.
- Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) initiation may be linked to restricted venous function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of graded compression stockings on calf venous volume and outflow in AMI patients.
- To assess if compression stockings can improve venous function in this patient group.
Main Methods:
- 49 patients with acute myocardial infarction were enrolled.
- Strain gauge plethysmography was used to measure calf venous volume and outflow.
- Graded compression stockings were applied to one leg (intervention) versus the contralateral leg (control) for six days.
Main Results:
- Calf venous volume increased in control legs over three days.
- Legs with compression stockings showed significantly higher venous volume throughout the study.
- Venous outflow remained unchanged in both control and intervention legs.
Conclusions:
- Graded compression stockings enhance calf venous volume in AMI patients.
- Improved venous function with compression stockings may reduce DVT incidence.
- Further controlled clinical trials are needed to confirm DVT risk reduction.
Abstract:
Venous volume and venous outflow of the calf were studied in 49 patients with acute myocardial infarction. Graded compression stockings were randomly applied to one leg, the other serving as a control, and the above parameters were studied with strain gauge plethysmography during six days. Venous volume increased in the control legs during the first three days and it was significantly higher in the legs with stockings compared to the control legs throughout the study period. Venous outflow did not change during the study period or with the application of compression stockings. A restricted venous function in the calf may contribute to the initiation of deep vein thrombosis. Graded compression stockings improve the venous function in the leg and may thus reduce the incidence of deep vein thrombosis in patients with acute myocardial infarction. This remains, however, to be proved in a controlled clinical trial.