How can the pressure in anti-embolism stockings be maintained during use? Laboratory evaluation of simulated 'wear' and different reconditioning protocols

摘要

Background: Deep vein thrombosis is a major global health issue, responsible for thousands of deaths each year. While thrombi can form under a variety of circumstances, lack of mobility significantly increases risk and therefore non-ambulant patients are frequently fitted with anti-embolism stockings on admission to hospital, to aid blood flow, prevent pooling and thus clotting. Anti-embolism stockings are the most widely used non-invasive medical device on the market and are believed to reduce the risk of deep vein thrombosis by 40%. Despite their widespread use in hospitals world-wide, there is remarkably little research addressing their use or reconditioning and a wide variety of different reconditioning protocols are used in hospitals.