Overall Safety and Risks Associated with Blood Flow Restriction Therapy: A Literature Review

Area of Science:

• Sports Medicine
• Rehabilitation Science
• Orthopedics

Background:

• Blood flow restriction therapy (BFRT) is increasingly utilized for muscle building and post-operative recovery.
• Research on BFRT's efficacy is growing, but its safety profile requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To comprehensively review the existing literature on adverse events associated with Blood flow restriction therapy (BFRT).
• To establish the safety parameters and potential risks of BFRT across various patient populations.

Main Methods:

• An extensive literature search was conducted across PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library.
• Keywords used included "blood flow restriction therapy" and "KAATSU."
• Included studies comprised case reports, series, surveys, questionnaires, RCTs, and a systematic review.

Main Results:

• Out of 25,813 individuals, 1,672 reported adverse events following BFRT.
• Common adverse events included numbness, dizziness, subcutaneous hemorrhage, and rhabdomyolysis.
• Unique adverse events were noted in patients with comorbidities like hypertension and thoracic outlet syndrome, including retinal vein occlusion and Paget-Schroeder syndrome.

Conclusions:

• Blood flow restriction therapy presents significant potential for accelerated exercise rehabilitation and injury prevention.
• While further randomized controlled trials are needed, BFRT appears safe for appropriate patient populations when administered by trained professionals.
• BFRT could be valuable in military settings for faster return to duty for injured personnel.