Hemodynamic evaluation of foot venous compression devices

Area of Science:

• Vascular Surgery
• Medical Devices
• Hemodynamics

Background:

• Deep venous thrombosis (DVT) prophylaxis often relies on calf compression devices.
• Limb trauma can prevent the use of calf devices, necessitating alternative methods.
• Foot-based compression devices are emerging as a potential alternative.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the venous hemodynamic effects of four different foot compression devices.
• To compare these effects against calf-only intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC).

Main Methods:

• Twenty-seven healthy volunteers participated in the study.
• Duplex scanning assessed venous hemodynamics at the popliteal vein (PV) and common femoral vein (CFV).
• Evaluated parameters included resting systolic velocity (RSV), maximum venous velocity (MVV), acceleration, and return time (RT) for five devices (two commercial foot, two experimental foot, one calf IPC).

Main Results:

• Foot devices (FCD1, FCD2) and IPC significantly altered venous hemodynamics.
• MVV was significantly higher with FCD2 and IPC at the PV.
• Mechanical foot devices demonstrated the greatest acceleration of venous flow.
• IPC resulted in a significantly longer return time (RT) compared to foot devices.

Conclusions:

• Commercially available foot devices (FCD1, FCD2) and IPC significantly impact venous hemodynamics.
• Hemodynamic changes at the PV were observed proximally at the CFV.
• Mechanical foot devices rapidly accelerate venous flow, while IPC sustains elevated flow.
• Further clinical studies are needed to establish foot devices as equivalents to IPC.