Intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC) stimulates and maintains pulsatile blood flow through compression. IPC is implemented by wrapping an inflatable device (pictured above) around the leg or foot and inflated with an electrical pneumatic pump. The inflation of the device compresses deep veins in the extremity displacing blood in those veins proximally, assuming the presence of competent venous valves. IPC is assumed to reduce oedema, accelerate venous blood flow, and improve venous pump function. This reduces venous hypertension and valvular reflux.
Intermittent pneumatic compression is widely accepted and used to treat venous diseases, arterial diseases, and limb swelling, as well as prevent the development of blood clots during long periods of rest.
IPC devices differ in the type of:
References
Intermittent pneumatic compression is widely accepted and used to treat venous diseases, arterial diseases, and limb swelling, as well as prevent the development of blood clots during long periods of rest.
IPC devices differ in the type of:
- Compression garments (circumferential bladders or non-circumferential bladders)
- Location of air bladders (thigh, calf, or foot compression, combination of the sites, or entire limb)
- Patterns of pump pressure cycles (Uniform, sequential, or graded sequential compression)
- Compression profiles
- Cycle length
- Duration of inflation time and deflation time
- Cycling mode (automatic or constant)
- Increase venous return
- Reduce pain
- Reduce skin edema
- Laboratory monitoring is not required unlike pharmacological prophylaxis
- The effectiveness of each IPC device is unknown
References
- Kahn SR EE, Rodger MA, and Wells PS. Use of elastic compression stockings after deep venous thrombosis: a comparison of practices and perceptions of thrombosis physicians and patients. Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis, 2002(1):500-6.
- Zhao JM HM, Xiao ZM, et.al. Different types of intermittent pneumatic compression devices for preventing venous thromboembolism in patients after total hip replacement (Review). The Cochrane Collaboration2012(11):19.