Compression therapy and heart failure: a scoping review of the existing evidence

The completion of a scoping review within the area of compression therapy and heart failure offers an insight into the present literature in this area, alongside offering the ability to connect this existing knowledge to chronic oedema/lymphoedema when both conditions co-exist. The evidence obtained included national agreed guidelines, consensus documents and existing primary/secondary research. The review identified existing evidence that suggests that the application of compression therapy in those with heart failure may be appropriate, but is dependent upon staging and stability. However, this needs to be contextualised against other co-morbidities, such as lymphoedema, which may impact upon the exact compression therapy and level applied. Further research within the area of heart failure in combination with chronic oedema/lymphoedema would expand the existing evidence base. This is set against a need for further consensus guidance to bridge the gap that exists within the literature.