Compression therapy is considered the “gold standard” of care for prolonged treatment of venous ulcers. Compression therapy goals include edema management, venous reflux improvement, and enhanced healing.1,2
Intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC) is widely used to prevent deep venous thrombosis. However, IPC seems to have application to a broader base of circulatory diseases. The intermittent nature of pulsatile external compression produces beneficial physiologic changes, which include hematologic, hemodynamic, and endothelial effects, which should promote healing of VLUs. Clinical studies of the management of VLUs show that IPC increases overall healing and accelerates the rate of healing, leading to current guideline recommendations for care of patients with VLUs. 3
1. O’Donnell TF Jr., Passman MA, Marston WA, et al.; Society for Vascular Surgery; American Venous Forum. Management of venous leg ulcers: clinical practice guidelines of the Society for Vascular Surgery® and the American Venous Forum. J Vasc Surg. 2014;60(2)(suppl):3S-59S.
2. Mauck KF, Asi N, Elraiyah TA, et al. Comparative systematic review and meta-analysis of compression modalities for the promotion of venous ulcer healing and reducing ulcer recurrence. J Vasc Surg. 2014;60(2)(suppl):71S-90S,e1-e2.
3.Comerota AJ. Intermittent pneumatic compression: physiologic and clinical basis to improve management of venous leg ulcers. J Vasc Surg. 2011 Apr;53(4):1121-9. doi: 10.1016/j.jvs.2010.08.059. Epub 2010 Nov 3. PMID: 21050701.