The comparison of graduated compression stockings of different length and pressure gradients combined with ankle pump movement on femoral vein blood velocity: a pilot study.

Background: Graduated compression stocking (GCS) is one the most widely used intervention methods in decreasing venous stasis and preventing deep venous thrombosis in hospital patients. However, changes of femoral vein speed after using GCS, combining ankle pump movement or not, and the efficacy difference of GCS among brands are still unclear.

Methods: In this single-center cross-sectional study, healthy participants were assigned to wear one of the three different GCSs (type A, B and C) on both legs. Type B was with lower compressions at popliteal fossa, middle thigh and upper thigh, compared with type A and C. Blood flow velocity of femoral veins was measured with a Doppler ultrasound scanner in the following four conditions: Lying, ankle pump movement, wearing GCS, and GCS combining ankle pump movement. The differences of femoral vein velocity between conditions in each GCS type, and differences of femoral vein velocity changes between GCS type B and type C were compared, respectively.

Results: A total of 26 participants enrolled and 6 wore type A, 10 wore type B and 10 wore type C GCS. Compared with lying, participants wearing type B GCS had significant higher left femoral vein peak velocity (PVL) and left femoral vein trough velocity (TVL) (absolute difference [AD] 10.63, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 3.17-18.09, P=0.0210; AD 8.65, 95% CI: 2.84-14.46, P=0.0171, respectively). Compared with ankle pump movement only, TVL significantly increased in participants wearing type B GCS and so did right femoral vein trough velocity (TVR) in in participants wearing type C GCS. Comparing with lying, the AD of PVL was significantly higher in participants wearing type B GCS than those wearing type C GCS (10.63±12.03 vs. -0.23±8.89, P<0.05).

Conclusions: GCS with lower compressions at popliteal fossa, middle thigh and upper thigh was related with higher femoral vein velocity. Femoral vein velocity of left leg increased much more than that of right leg in participants wearing GCS with/without ankle pump movement. Further investigations are needed to translate the herein reported hemodynamic effect of different compression dosages into a potentially different clinical benefit.