Examining the Benefit of Graduated Compression Stockings in the Prevention of vEnous Thromboembolism in Low-risk Surgical Patients

Launched by IMPERIAL COLLEGE LONDON · Apr 25, 2022

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is looking at whether wearing graduated compression stockings helps prevent blood clots in patients who are at low risk after having short surgeries. Blood clots can form in the legs and travel to the lungs, where they can be very dangerous. While these stockings are commonly used in hospitals to help reduce this risk, it's unclear if they are truly helpful for patients who are not at high risk of developing clots. Given that many patients undergo short surgeries each year and often wear these stockings, this study aims to find out if they are necessary for low-risk patients.

To participate in this study, individuals need to be adults aged 18 to 59 scheduled for surgery with a hospital stay of less than 48 hours and assessed as low-risk for blood clots. Those who qualify will be asked to wear the compression stockings during their hospital stay. The study will help determine if continuing to use these stockings is worthwhile, which could impact treatment practices and costs in the future. If you're considering participating, it’s important to know that there are certain health conditions that would exclude you from the trial, such as having a history of blood clots or needing specific treatments for blood clot prevention.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Adults (18-59 years of age) scheduled to undergo a surgical procedure with a hospital stay \<48 hours
• • Individuals assessed as being at low-risk of developing VTE as per the DHRA Tool (i.e. no assessed thrombosis risk factors / scoring 0)
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Individuals with a contraindication to GCS
• • Individuals assessed as being at moderate or high-risk of VTE as per the DHRA tool
• • Individuals requiring therapeutic anticoagulation
• • Individuals with thrombophilia/ thrombogenic disorder
• • Individuals with a previous history of VTE
• • Individuals requiring intermittent pneumatic compression therapy beyond theatre and recovery
• • Individuals requiring extended thromboprophylaxis beyond discharge
• • Female patients of childbearing age who have a positive pregnancy test
• • Individuals with lower limb immobilisation
• • Inability to provide informed consent