Davidson JE, Willms DC, Hoffman MS.
Effect of intermittent pneumatic leg compression on intracranial pressure in
brain-injured patients.
Crit Care Med 1993 Feb;21(2):224-7

University of California San Diego Medical Center.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of intermittent pneumatic leg compression on
intracranial pressure and cerebral perfusion pressure in brain-injured patients.
DESIGN: Prospective, sequential patient study. SETTING: Surgical/trauma ICU of a
community hospital providing regional trauma care. PATIENTS: Twenty-four adult,
brain-injured patients (mean Glasgow Coma Scale score = 6) who required
hemodynamic and intracranial pressure monitoring. INTERVENTIONS: Placement of
intermittent sequential pneumatic leg compression devices for prevention of
venous thrombosis. MEASUREMENTS: Mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate,
central venous pressure, and intracranial pressure were measured at baseline, and
at 0, 10, 20, and 30 mins of intermittent pneumatic leg compression. Cerebral
perfusion pressure was calculated as the difference between MAP and intracranial
pressure. RESULTS: No significant changes in MAP, central venous pressure, or
intracranial pressure occurred during the study interval. Calculated cerebral
perfusion pressure remained unchanged. A total of 23 of 24 study patients had
intracranial pressure controlled by hyperventilation or pharmacologic measures
within the normal range at the time of study. CONCLUSION: Intermittent pneumatic
leg compression results in no significant changes in intracranial pressure or
cerebral perfusion pressure in stable, brain-injured patients who have
intracranial pressure controlled by medical means.