Watanabe H.
[Postoperative deep venous thrombosis prevention with intermittent sequential
compression]
Nippon Geka Gakkai Zasshi 1985 Dec;86(12):1654-63

The euglobulin lysis time (ELT) in antecubital vein and femoral vein was
investigated in 35 patients before and after bilateral intermittent sequential
leg compression for one hour. After compression, ELT in antecubital vein was
shortened, and that in femoral vein was significantly shortened (p less than
0.05). beta-thromboglobulin, fibrinopeptide B beta 15-42 and alpha 2-plasmin
inhibitor were also investigated, but no significant change was found after
compression. The mean and peak blood velocity of the femoral vein before and
during compression was measured using Doppler ultrasound in 20 patients. The mean
blood velocity increased about 183% (p less than 0.001), and the peak blood
velocity also increased 178% (p less than 0.001). ELT was measured pre- and
post-operatively in 31 patients who had intermittent sequential compression
during operation and succeeding two days and in 31 controls which had no
compression. Both in antecubiltal vein and in femoral vein, ELT in the
compression group was significantly shorter than that of control group in the
first postoperative day. This study demonstrates that intermittent sequential
compression of the legs increased fibrinolytic activity, and this effect may
contribute to the prevention of deep venous thrombosis.