Mobile Compression Device Effectively Prevents Thrombosis After Joint Replacement Surgery

A mobile compression device is as effective as medication at preventing the formation of blood clots after hip replacement surgery, but provides greater patient safety, according to a study in the March issue of the Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery. In the study the ActiveCare+S.F.T. mobile compression device from Medical Compression Systems was compared with low-molecular-weight heparin with regard to their safety and effectiveness for the prevention of venous thromboembolic disease. Thrombosis develops in 30 to 50% of patients undergoing joint replacement surgery unless they receive prevention therapy. Usually this consists of low-molecular-weight heparin which is very effective but increases the risk of bleeding. The current device applies intermittent, sequential pressure to the leg in correlation with the patient’s respiratory cycle, maximizing blood flow to reduce the risk of clot formation. Four hundred and ten patients who had a total hip arthroplasty were randomized to receive prophylaxis with a mobile compression device or low-molecular-weight heparin for ten days. There was no difference between the groups in the prevalence of venous thromboembolism, but use of the compression device resulted in a significant decrease of major bleeding events.
More from Hospital for Special Surgery: Device to Revolutionize Preventive Blood Clot Care After Joint Replacement Surgery…
Article abstract: Thrombosis Prevention After Total Hip Arthroplasty The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery (American). 2010;92:527-535.
Product page: ActiveCare+S.F.T…
Flashbacks: ActiveCare DVT Goes with Patient; Goes to Cleveland; ActiveCare+SFT: A Breath Synchronized DVT Prevention