Effect of intermittent pneumatic and graduated static compression on factor VIII and the fibrinolytic system

Intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC) or graduated static compression stockings, both effective mechanical methods in the prophylaxis of postoperative deep venous thrombosis, have been investigated in 50 patients regarding the effect of compression on the fibrinolytic system and factor VIII activators. All the patients were subjected to one of the two methods before operation upon varicose veins. In 38 patients IPC with a pressure of 40 mmHg was applied on one leg or arm for at least two hours. In 23 of these patients the compression pattern was slow, two minutes' inflation and two minutes' deflation period. In the remaining 15 patients the compression pattern was quick, three seconds' inflation, followed by 20 seconds' deflation, three cycles a minute. Twelve patients were treated with a compression stocking on one leg for about 24 hours before the operation. Blood samples for determination of fibrinolytic activity and factor VIII in plasma were obtained before and immediately after the end of compression and application of a stocking, respectively. Also the level of plasminogen activator activity (PA) in the vein wall was determined. Neither IPC nor the application of an elastic stocking had any demonstrable effect on the variables studied. In addition, the results did not vary with the rate (slow or quick) or with the duration of IPC, sex or site of application (arm or leg) of IPC. Blood samples from the compressed leg were also uninfluenced.