Study of Kendall Sequential Compression System (Covidien) shows reduced risk of DVT
Data from the CLOTS 3 trial, a multicenter, parallel group trial of 2,876 immobile stroke patients indicates that intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC) treatment using Kendall SCD Sequential Compression System, from Covidien, reduces the risk of proximal Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT). Patients were allocated to best medical care or best medical care plus IPC.
DVT occurred in 122 (8�5%) of 1438 patients allocated IPC and 174 (12�1%) of 1438 patients allocated no IPC; an absolute reduction in risk of 3�6%. Deaths in the treatment period occurred in 156 (11%) patients allocated IPC and 189 (13%) patients allocated no IPC died within the 30 days of treatment period.
Results showed that thigh-length IPC for three days after stroke reduces the probability of DVT. This compression decreases the risk of clot formation by increasing blood flow. Results were published in The Lancet: "Effectiveness of intermittent pneumatic compression in reduction of risk of deep vein thrombosis in patients who have had a stroke (CLOTS 3): a multicentre randomised controlled trial" The Lancet, Early Online Publication, 31 May 2013 doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(13)61050-8
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