Alterations of Blood Clotting With the Use of Sequential Compression Devices on the Lower Limbs

Summary

This study aims to assess possible alteration in coagulation (blood clotting) following treatment with sequential compression devices (SCD) plus low-molecular weight heparin (LMWH) as opposed to LMWH alone. The investigators will examine coagulation in the early postoperative period of patients undergoing major abdominal surgery during their stay in our Intensive Care Unit. In addition to common laboratory tests, the investigators will examine coagulation using TEG®, a device which allows a semi-quantitative examination of all phases of coagulation.

Timeline

Start

2008-08

Primary completion

2010-11

Completion

2010-11

Publications

• Background Fordyce MJ, Ling RS. A venous foot pump reduces thrombosis after total hip replacement. J Bone Joint Surg Br. 1992 Jan;74(1):45-9. doi: 10.1302/0301-620X.74B1.1732264.
• Background Handoll HH, Farrar MJ, McBirnie J, Tytherleigh-Strong G, Milne AA, Gillespie WJ. Heparin, low molecular weight heparin and physical methods for preventing deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism following surgery for hip fractures. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2002;(4):CD000305. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD000305.
• Background Warwick D, Harrison J, Whitehouse S, Mitchelmore A, Thornton M. A randomised comparison of a foot pump and low-molecular-weight heparin in the prevention of deep-vein thrombosis after total knee replacement. J Bone Joint Surg Br. 2002 Apr;84(3):344-50. doi: 10.1302/0301-620x.84b3.12372.
• Background Pitto RP, Hamer H, Heiss-Dunlop W, Kuehle J. Mechanical prophylaxis of deep-vein thrombosis after total hip replacement a randomised clinical trial. J Bone Joint Surg Br. 2004 Jul;86(5):639-42. doi: 10.1302/0301-620x.86b5.14763.
• Background Killewich LA, Sandager GP, Nguyen AH, Lilly MP, Flinn WR. Venous hemodynamics during impulse foot pumping. J Vasc Surg. 1995 Nov;22(5):598-605. doi: 10.1016/s0741-5214(95)70046-3.
• Background Dai G, Tsukurov O, Orkin RW, Abbott WM, Kamm RD, Gertler JP. An in vitro cell culture system to study the influence of external pneumatic compression on endothelial function. J Vasc Surg. 2000 Nov;32(5):977-87. doi: 10.1067/mva.2000.110357.
• Background Kohro S, Yamakage M, Takahashi T, Ota K, Kondo M, Namiki A. Effects of intermittent pneumatic foot compression on blood coagulability and fibrinolysis assessed by a whole blood viscometer Sonoclot. J Anesth. 2003;17(3):208-10. doi: 10.1007/s00540-003-0180-x. No abstract available.
• Background Kohro S, Yamakage M, Sato K, Sato JI, Namiki A. Intermittent pneumatic foot compression can activate blood fibrinolysis without changes in blood coagulability and platelet activation. Acta Anaesthesiol Scand. 2005 May;49(5):660-4. doi: 10.1111/j.1399-6576.2005.00661.x.
• Background McCrath DJ, Cerboni E, Frumento RJ, Hirsh AL, Bennett-Guerrero E. Thromboelastography maximum amplitude predicts postoperative thrombotic complications including myocardial infarction. Anesth Analg. 2005 Jun;100(6):1576-1583. doi: 10.1213/01.ANE.0000155290.86795.12.

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