Olson DA, Kamm RD, Shapiro AH.
Bioengineering studies of periodic external compression as prophylaxis
against deep vein thrombosis-part II:
experimental studies on a stimulated leg.
J Biomech Eng. 1982 May;104(2):96-104.

In this companion paper to "Part I: Numerical Simulations, " we report in
vitro experimental studies performed on a simple model leg consisting
of a "vein" of thin-walled latex tubing surrounded by
"tissue" of open-pore foam rubber. Three modes of periodic external
compression, were investigated: i) uniform compression; (ii) graded
compression, decreasing from ankle to knee; and (iii) sequential
compression, progressing from ankle to knee. The modes are compared on the
basis of three hemodynamic criteria: degree of vessel collapse,
level of fluid velocity, and level of shear stress. In uniform compression
these measures of merit are distributed very nonuniformly
along the length of the leg: they are high near the
proximal end of the cuff but low elsewhere, a result due to the formation
proximally of a partially occlusive throat. The latter does
not form in either graded or sequential compression, with the
consequence that favorable values of the three measures of merit occur more
uniformly along the length of the pressurized region.
It is concluded that either the graded or sequential mode of compression,
or perhaps a combination of the two, would be more effective than uniform
compression as a prophylaxis against deep vein thrombosis.