Ringley CD, Johanning JM, Gruenberg JC, Veverka TJ, Barber KR.
Evaluation of pulmonary arterial catheter parameters utilizing intermittent
pneumatic compression boots in congestive heart failure.
Am Surg 2002 Mar;68(3):286-9; discussion 289-90

Department of Surgery, Saginaw Cooperative Hospitals, Inc., Michigan 48602, USA.

The use of intermittent pneumatic compression boots to reduce the risk of deep
venous thrombosis is contraindicated in patients with congestive heart failure
(CHF) due to a theoretical increase in venous return to the heart and
exacerbation of heart failure. This study evaluates intermittent pneumatic
compression effects on pulmonary artery catheter parameters in CHF patients. We
conducted a prospective within-patient study of CHF patients monitored by
pulmonary artery catheterization. Hemodynamic variables were assessed with and
without the use of intermittent pneumatic compression boots. A sample size of 18
patients was calculated a priori to obtain an 80 per cent power to detect a mean
difference of 10 per cent. Twenty patients were studied; no patient suffered
hemodynamic instability during the application of pneumatic compression; no
statistically significant change in any hemodynamic parameters was noted. A trend
toward decreasing mean arterial blood pressure (P = 0.057), pulmonary artery
wedge pressure (P = 0.065), and systemic vascular resistance (P = 0.08) was
observed. None were clinically significant. The application of intermittent
pneumatic compression to the feet of patients in CHF does not significantly alter
central hemodynamic parameters in CHF patients. This study suggests that
intermittent pneumatic compression may be used in CHF patients for venous
thromboembolic risk reduction.