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Updated: Jun 1, 2026

Fabrication of Compressed Hosiery and Measurement of its Pressure Characteristic Exerted on the Lower Limbs
Published on: May 27, 2020
Compression stockings with a negative pressure gradient have a more pronounced effect on venous pumping function than
Objectives:
To measure the effect on the venous pumping function of a stocking providing a negative pressure gradient with higher pressures over the calf in comparison to a conventional graduated elastic compression stocking (GECS) in patients with advanced venous insufficiency.
Design:
Experimental study.
Material:
30 patients with severe superficial chronic venous insufficiency were enrolled. Two elastic stocking designs exerting a pressure at ankle between 15 and 25 mm Hg were compared; a conventional GECS and a stocking exerting a higher pressure over the calf than over the ankle producing a "progressive" increase in compression (PECS).
Method:
the venous calf pumping function was assessed by measuring the ejection fraction (EF) from the lower leg by a plethysmographic method during a standardised exercise. Interface pressure of the 2 compression devices was simultaneously recorded both at B1 = 12 cm above ankle, C = just above widest part of calf.
Results:
The mean increase of EF produced by PECS was +75% (95 CI 48, 7-101,3) compared with +32% (95% CI 16, 8-48,6) with GECS (P < 0.001). There was a significant correlation between EF and the stocking pressure measured at calf level during standing and walking.
Conclusion:
Stockings exerting a higher pressure on the calf than on the ankle show a greater efficacy in increasing the venous ejection fraction from the leg.
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