Intermittent pneumatic compression is a therapeutic technique used in medical devices that include an air pump and inflatable auxiliary sleeves, gloves or boots in a system designed to improve venous circulation in the limbs of patients who suffer edema or the risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or pulmonary embolism (PE).[1]
In use, an inflatable jacket (sleeve, glove or boot) encloses the limb requiring treatment, and pressure lines are connected between the jacket and the air pump. When activated, the pump fills the air chambers of the jacket in order to pressurize the tissues in the limb, thereby forcing fluids, such as blood and lymph, out of the pressurized area. A short time later, the pressure is reduced, allowing increased blood flow back into the limb.
The primary functional aim of the device “is to squeeze blood from the underlying deep veins, which, assuming that the valves are competent, will be displaced proximally.” When the inflatable sleeves deflate, the veins will replenish with blood. The intermittent compressions of the sleeves will ensure the movement of venous blood.
Sequential compression devices
Sequential compression devices (SCD) utilize sleeves with separated areas or pockets of inflation, which works to squeeze on the appendage in a “milking action.” The most distal areas will initially inflate, and the subsequent pockets will follow in the same manner.[2]
Sequential calf compression and graduated compression stockings are currently the preferred prophylaxis in neurosurgery for the prevention of DVT and pulmonary embolism, sometimes in combination with low molecular weight heparins or unfractionated heparin.[3] Compression stockings can be hard to put on, portable compression devices could be the answer to patients compliance and those not wanting or able to take heparin. Intraoperative SCD-therapy is recommended during prolonged laparoscopic surgery to counter altered venous blood return from the lower extremities and consequent cardiac depression caused by pneumoperitoneum (inflation of the abdomen with carbon dioxide).[4]
Patient falls
Clinicians often avoid SCD therapy because of a perceived increased risk for patient falls. A 2011 review of 3,562 hospital falls, 16 of which were associated with SCD therapy, concluded that SCD use "is rarely associated with in-hospital patient falls, and SCD-related falls are not more harmful than other types of falls."[5]
References
- ^ Gould MK, Garcia DA, Wren SM, Karanicolas PJ, Arcelus JI, Heit JA, Samama CM (2012). "Prevention of VTE in Nonorthopedic Surgical Patients: Antithrombotic Therapy and Prevention of Thrombosis, 9th ed: American College of Chest Physicians Evidence-Based Clinical Practice Guidelines". Chest. 141 (2 suppl): e227S-e277S. doi:10.1378/chest.11-2297. PMC 3278061. PMID 22315263.
{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ Attention: This template ({{cite doi}}) is deprecated. To cite the publication identified by doi:10.1097/01.sla.0000109149.77194.6c, please use {{cite journal}} (if it was published in a bona fide academic journal, otherwise {{cite report}} with
|doi=10.1097/01.sla.0000109149.77194.6cinstead. - ^ Smith SF, Biggs MT, Sekhon LH (2005). "Risk factors and prophylaxis for deep venous thrombosis in neurosurgery". Surg Technol Int. 14: 69–76. PMID 16525957.
{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ Schwenk W, Haase O, Junghans T (April 2002). "Perspectives in sequential pneumatic compression of the lower extremities (SCD) for laparoscopic surgery". Acta Chir. Belg. 102 (2): 83–91. PMID 12051096.
{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ Boelig MM, Streiff MB, Hobson DB, Kraus PS, Pronovost PJ, Haut ER (June 2011). "Are sequential compression devices commonly associated with in-hospital falls? A myth-busters review using the patient safety net database". J Patient Saf. 7 (2): 77–9. doi:10.1097/PTS.0b013e3182110706. PMID 21587119.
{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
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