Graduated compression stockings did not prevent deep venous thrombosis after stroke and increased skin complications

摘要

DVT and pulmonary embolism are important causes of morbidity and mortality after ischemic stroke. CLOTS 1 is the first large assessment of the safety and efficacy of thigh-length GCSs for DVT prophylaxis after recent stroke. Contrary to the reduced incidence of DVT seen in postsurgical patients, this trial failed to show a reduction in venous thromboembolism (VTE) with GCSs. This apparently discordant result may be explained by the level of functional impairment and advanced age of poststroke patients, both of which have been identified as risk factors for VTE after stroke. Several issues may affect the validity of results from CLOTS 1. The lower-than-expected rate of proximal DVT in the control group (11% vs 15%) reduced the power of the trial.