Mellbring G, Palmer K.
Prophylaxis of deep vein thrombosis after major abdominal surgery. Comparison
between dihydroergotamine-heparin and intermittent pneumatic calf compression and
evaluation of added graduated static compression.
Acta Chir Scand 1986 Oct;152:597-600

In a prospective, randomized study on 114 patients undergoing major abdominal
surgery, the prophylactic effect of dihydroergotamine (DHE) combined with
low-dose heparin (LDH) against postoperative deep vein thrombosis (DVT) was
compared with that of peroperative intermittent pneumatic calf compression
(IPCC). The additive effect of graduated pressure stockings was also studied, by
randomizing a stocking to the right or left leg in each patient. The
125I-fibrinogen test was used to diagnose DVT. The incidence of postoperative DVT
was significantly lower in the DHE-LDH than in the IPCC group (4% v. 19%). In the
IPCC group the incidence of postoperative DVT was equal in legs with and without
stocking. The study thus indicated that DHE-LDH is more effective than
peroperative IPCC in preventing DVT after major abdominal surgery, and that
graduated pressure stockings do not enhance the prophylactic effect of
peroperative IPCC.