Intermittent pneumatic compression in the prevention of venous thromboembolism in high-risk trauma and surgical ICU patients

BACKGROUND: Our aim was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of intermittent pneumatic compression methods (IPC) in the prevention of deep venous thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE) in high-risk patients followed in our intensive care unit (ICU) for whom anticoagulation is contraindicated due to high risk of bleeding. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This prospective study was conducted between October 2001 and June 2002 at the Trauma and Surgical Emergency Service of Istanbul Medical Faculty. Thirty eight surgical ICU patients who used IPC devices for prophylaxis of venous thromboembolisim were evaluated retrospectively. RESULTS: There were 27 male (71%) and 11 female patients (29%) with a mean age of 49.69 ± 18.61 years. Their diagnoses were as follows; 21 multi-trauma, 11 major abdominal surgery, 11 severe gastrointestinal bleeding. None of the patients had manifested DVT by venous duplex scans. A leg swelling was present in one patient without evidence of DVT by duplex scans. Symptomatic and fatal pulmonary embolism were not detected. Asymptomatic pulmonary embolism was detected by spiral thorax CT examination in one patient (2.6%). CONCLUSIONS: IPC seems to be an effective and a safe modality in preventing both DVT and PE in high-risk ICU patients with severe trauma and for those undergoing major surgery.