The gait-dependent intermittent pneumatic compression ambulatory boot device: Preliminary reports on calf pressure and venous hemodynamics

ABSTRACT

RATIONALE@#Compression therapy has been demonstrated to be beneficial in a number of vascular conditions including chronic arterial ischemia, venous insufficiency and primary and secondary lymphedema. Its effectivity however is limited and questioned by the nature of the treatment procedure which requires that the patient be in a sitting or recumbent position while it is being administered.@*METHODS@#The author describes the development of a boot device which provides gait-dependent intermittent compression to the ankle and calf@*RESULTS@#In volunteer studies, the device produced a cycle of pressure changes from 15-40 mmHg at the interface. Simulated calf compression resulted in augmentation of venous flow recorded by duplex sonography at the superficial femoral vein area, indicating an improvement in venous hemodynamics with the use of the device.@*CONCLUSION@#These findings demonstrate the potential for an attractive ambulatory alternative to the commonly employed nonambulant therapies for venous insufficiency.