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Title: Intermittent sequential pneumatic compression of the legs and thromboembolism-deterrent stockings in the prevention of postoperative deep venous thrombosis

Journal Article · · Surgery; (United States)
OSTI ID:5128434

One hundred fifty patients over the age of 30 who had undergone major abdominal operations were stratified according to the risk of deep venous thrombosis and randomized into three groups to receive different prophylactic regimens: group A, electrical calf stimulation; group B, low-dose subcutaneous heparin; group C, intermittent sequential compression and thromboembolism-deterrent (TED) stockings. All the patients were scanned with the /sup 125/I-fibrinogen test for the whole stay in hospital. The incidence of /sup 125/I-fibrinogen detected deep venous thrombi was 18% in group A, 9% in group B, and 4% in group C. The results indicate that the regimen of intermittent sequential compression and TED stockings is as effective as low-dose subcutaneous heparin. Electrical calf stimulation is less effective.

Research Organization:
St. Mary's Hospital Medical School, London, England
OSTI ID:
5128434
Journal Information:
Surgery; (United States), Vol. 94:1
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English