Phlebology > Volume 23, Number 2 > Pp. 58-63

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Original article

Venous tonus enhancement after a short cycle of intermittent pneumatic compression

J N Harfouche^*, S Theys, P Hanson, J C Schoevaerdts and X Sturbois^*

^* Université Catholique de Louvain, Faculté de Médecine, Institut d'Education Physique et de Réadaptation; Place Pierre de Coubertin 1, B-1348 Louvain-la-Neuve; Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation; Department of Thoracic and Vascular Surgery, University Hospital of Godinne, B-5530 Yvoir, Belgium

Correspondence: Professor X Sturbois, 1, Place Pierre de Coubertin, B-1348 Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium. Email: xavier.sturbois{at}uclouvain.be; joseph.harfouche{at}uclouvain.be

Objectives: To test if intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC) used with a short cycle could reproduce and confirm the 30 min vasoconstriction effect observed after a long cycle of pressure.

Methods: Eighteen subjects took part in the study, 12 with venous insufficiency (VI) and six without VI (NonVI). Duplex scanner was used to evaluate the diameter of six sites of veins on each of both lower limbs before and after the treatment. The IPC was applied to only one limb.

Results: The control limb showed no change in venous diameter. The treated limb, showed in the NonVI group one vasoconstriction: the greater saphena at the knee level (GS) (P < 0.05). In the VI group, four sites out of six showed a vasoconstriction: the common femoral (P < 0.005), the GS at its cross (P < 0.001), the GS (P < 0.001) and the lesser saphena (P < 0.05).

Conclusions: Both long and short cycle of IPC are suitable to enhance the venous tone in VI patients for at least 30 min after the end of the treatment.

Key Words: duplex scanning • intermittent pneumatic compression • venous insufficiency • venous diameter • venous tonus

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