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Purpose: There is a pressing need for safe venous thromboembolism (VTE) prophylaxis in orthopedic patients with the highest risks of both venous thrombosis and bleeding. Portable intermittent pneumatic compression device (IPCD) has proven to be effective and safe in patients with a high risk of venous thrombosis and low bleeding risk. Therefore, this study examined the effectiveness, safety, and wearing compliance of portable IPCD for postoperative VTE prophylaxis in patients with the highest risks of both venous thrombosis and bleeding. Methods: The cases consisted of 38 patients who had used a portable IPCD and had the highest risks of both venous thrombosis and bleeding. We examined the incidence of VTE to assess the effectiveness of the portable IPCD, the presence of hemorrhagic adverse events to assess safety, and the wearing rate to assess wearing compliance. Results: The incidences of asymptomatic and symptomatic deep vein thrombosis were 5.3% and 2.6%, respectively. The incidence of hemorrhagic adverse events was 21.1% in patients who received anticoagulants and wore an IPCD simultaneously and 0% in patients who wore an IPCD but did not receive anticoagulants. The wearing rate (i.e. ≥18 h/day) was 100%. Conclusion: Portable IPCD has the potential for safe VTE prophylaxis in patients at high risks for both venous thrombosis and bleeding. Therefore, we suggest that such patients use a portable IPCD for VTE prophylaxis.

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Objective To examine the resistance effect of using an exercise band on the lower extremity venous velocity during active ankle flexion. Methods Twenty healthy young adult men performed active ankle flexion every 2 s either with no band or with two exercise bands, marked red and silver in the order of increasing tension. They held the band in its natural length with an elbow in extension and an ankle in maximal dorsiflexion at initiation of each active plantar flexion in each posture. The peak velocity in the right superficial femoral vein was measured in each condition. Results Holm’s multiple comparisons revealed significant increases in the mean (individual 95% confidence intervals) peak velocities (cm/s) with no, red, and silver bands (35.8 (28.9–42.7), 46.5 (38.8–54.3), and 56.9 (47.0–66.8), respectively, in the sitting posture, and 50.7 (39.2–62.3), 60.7 (46.8–74.6), and 69.0 (55.3–82.7), respectively, in the supine posture; all p < 0.01). Conclusion Resistance with the exercise bands efficiently enhanced the femoral venous velocity during active ankle plantar flexion.

Introduction: The risk of developing deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is high even after the period of bed rest following major general surgery including total joint arthroplasty (TJA). Mobile intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC) devices allow the application of IPC during postoperative exercise. Although ambulation included ankle movement, no reports have been made regarding the effects of IPC during exercise, including active ankle exercise (AAE), on venous flow. This study was performed to examine whether using a mobile IPC device can effectively augment the AAE-induced increase in peak velocity (PV). Methods: PV was measured by Doppler ultrasonography in the superficial femoral vein at rest, during AAE alone, during IPC alone, and during AAE with IPC in 20 healthy subjects in the sitting position. PV in AAE with IPC was measured with a mobile IPC device during AAE in the strong compression phase. AAE was interrupted from the end of the strong compression phase to minimize lower limb fatigue. Results: AAE with IPC (76.2 cm/s [95%CI, 69.0–83.4]) resulted in a significant increase in PV compared to either AAE or IPC alone (47.1 cm/s [95%CI, 38.7–55.6], p < 0.001 and 48.1 cm/s [95%CI, 43.7–52.4], p < 0.001, respectively). Discussion: Reduced calf muscle pump activity due to the decline in ambulation ability reduced venous flow. Therefore, use of a mobile IPC device during postoperative rehabilitation in hospital and activity including self-training in an inpatient ward may promote venous flow compared to postoperative exercise without IPC. Conclusion: Use of a mobile IPC device significantly increased the PV during AAE, and simultaneous AAE with IPC could be useful evidence for the prevention of DVT in clinical settings, including after TJA.