Black PM, Baker MF, Snook CP.
Experience with external pneumatic calf compression in neurology and neurosurgery.
Neurosurgery 1986 Apr;18(4):440-4

This report reviews our experience with external pneumatic compression (EPC)
therapy in preventing clinically evident deep venous thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary
emboli (PE) in neurological and neurosurgical patients. A total of 523 patients
admitted to the Departments of Neurology and Neurosurgery at the Massachusetts
General Hospital from December 1980 through January 1984 are included. The
incidence of DVT despite EPC use was 2.3%. The incidence of PE diagnosed by lung
scan and usually confirmed by angiography was 1.8%. In conjunction with
previously published reports of the incidence of DVT and PE, these data suggest
that EPC may be efficacious in decreasing the incidence of DVT but may not
prevent PE in neurological and neurosurgical patients.