Effects of External Leg Compression Devices on Healing and Blood Clotting

Launched by KAROLINSKA UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL · Feb 9, 2017

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This small study is testing two calf compression devices that squeeze the leg to improve blood flow and help prevent clots. It uses a crossover design, meaning each participant will try both devices in separate periods. One device gives rapid, sharp squeezes (Rapid calf-IPC) and the other provides gentler, slower squeezes (Slow calf-IPC). Each device is worn on both calves for about 120 minutes while researchers measure blood clotting factors in the blood, and also look at how the tissue in the Achilles area metabolizes, how much collagen is produced, and how well the leg’s microcirculation is working.

Who can participate? The study is for healthy adult men ages 18–60 who are non-smokers and have no major heart or kidney disease or past surgeries that affect leg blood flow. It’s being conducted at Karolinska University Hospital in Stockholm, Sweden. About 10 participants are planned, and enrollment is currently by invitation. There are no results yet, but the researchers hope to learn which device pattern might better support blood flow and healing, with possible implications for how compression devices are used in the future.

Gender

MALE

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Healthy individuals
• • Male gender
• • Age 18-60
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Smoking
• • Severe cardiovascular or renal disease causing pitting oedema
• • Previous operation in the lower limbs affecting the vascular or lymphatic system