Partsch H, Flour M, Smith PC, International Compression Club., et al.
International angiology : a journal of the International Union of Angiology. Date of publication 2008 Jun 1;volume 27(3):193-219.
1. Int Angiol. 2008 Jun;27(3):193-219.
Indications for compression therapy in venous and lymphatic disease consensus
based on experimental data and scientific evidence. Under the auspices of the
IUP.
Partsch H(1), Flour M, Smith PC; International Compression Club.
Author information:
(1)Dermatology and Angiology, Medical University of Vienna, Baumeistergasse 85, A
1160 Vienna, Austria. Hugo.Partsch@meduniwien.ac.at
AIM: The aim of this study was to review published literature concerning the use
of compression treatments in the management of venous and lymphatic diseases and
establish where reliable evidence exists to justify the use of medical
compression and where further research is required to address areas of
uncertainty.
METHODS: The authors searched medical literature databases and reviewed their own
collections of papers, monographs and books for papers providing information
about the effects of compression and randomized clinical trials of compression
devices. Papers were classified in accordance with the recommendations of the
GRADE group to categorize their scientific reliability. Further classification
was made according to the particular clinical problem that was addressed in the
papers. The review included papers on compression stockings, bandages and
intermittent pneumatic compression devices.
RESULTS: The International Compression Club met once in Vienna and corresponded
by email in order to reach an agreement of how the data should be interpreted. A
wide range of compression levels was reported to be effective. Low levels of
compression 10-30 mmHg applied by stockings are effective in the management of
telangiectases after sclerotherapy, varicose veins in pregnancy, the prevention
of edema and deep vein thrombosis (DVT). High levels of compression produced by
bandaging and strong compression stockings (30-40 mmHg) are effective at healing
leg ulcers and preventing progression of post-thrombotic syndrome as well as in
the management of lymphedema. In some areas no reliable evidence was available to
permit recommendations of level of compression or duration of treatment. These
included: management of varicose veins to prevent progression, following surgical
treatment or sclerotherapy for varicose veins, and the level of compression
required to treat acute DVT.
CONCLUSION: This review shows that whilst good evidence for the use of
compression is available in some clinical indications, there is much still to be
discovered. Little is know about dosimetry in compression, for how long and at
what level compression should be applied. The differing effects of elastic and
short-stretch compression are also little understood.
PMID: 18506124 [Indexed for MEDLINE]
