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The effect of compression therapy on venous haemodynamics in pregnant women
Author(s) -
Büchtemann Alexandra S.,
Steins Anke,
Volkert Birgit,
Hahn Martin,
Klyscz Thomas,
Jünger Michael
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
bjog: an international journal of obstetrics and gynaecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.157
H-Index - 164
eISSN - 1471-0528
pISSN - 1470-0328
DOI - 10.1111/j.1471-0528.1999.tb08325.x
Subject(s) - medicine , hemodynamics , gestation , blood flow , vein , pregnancy , plethysmograph , duplex scanning , femoral vein , compression (physics) , compression stockings , population , surgery , obstetrics , anesthesia , radiology , thrombosis , materials science , environmental health , stenosis , biology , composite material , genetics
Objective To study the influence of compression on the haemodynamics o the deep venous system in pregnancy. Design A prospective, observational study Setting The phlebological unit of the department of dermatology at a university hospital. Population Fifteen pregnant women with no previous signs of chronic venous insufficiency. Methods Parameters of the venous pump function were assessed by strain‐gauge plethysmography. Blood flow velocity, flow volume and vessel diameter in the superficial femoral vein were measured by duplex sonography. All examinations were performed with and without applied compression stockings (25–32 mmHg) at two different stages of gestation and after delivery. In addition, subjective symptoms were graded. Results Venous pump function improved and refilling time lengthened significantly when compression was used during gestation and postnatally. Duplex sonography showed an increase in blood flow velocity and flow volume in the superficial femoral vein with applied compression; the vessel diameter increased slightly. Subjective symptoms of the leg, graded on an arbitrary scale, were reduced by regular compression therapy. Conclusion Our results indicate that compression improves the clinical symptoms of venous congestion and the venous haemodynamics of the legs during pregnancy and in the postpartum period. Thus, the regular use of compression during pregnancy and the puerperium may reduce the incidence of thromboembolic events.