Stocking Outflow Performance in Venous and Lymphatic Disease v1
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Outflow performance of different stockings in the treatment of chronic venous insufficiency, post-thrombotic syndrome and lymphoedema compared to normal subjects.
IRAS ID
143608
Contact name
George GEROULAKOS
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Ealing Hospital,NHS Trust
Research summary
The incidence of a deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE) in the population is estimated at 1.0 and 0.5 percent respectively, and 10 - 20% of these patients go on to develop the post-thrombotic syndrome (PTS). The incidence of lymphoedema worldwide is 1 in 20 and that of varicose veins is 1 in 4. Elastic graduated compression stockings are the main prophylactic measure at preventing thromboembolic events and are the main conservative treatment for these patients.
This is a clinical trial to compare 2 different strengths of below knee compression stockings and determine which is best at improving the venous circulation in the leg. If the venous circulation can be improved then there should be fewer patients who suffer the side-effects of a poor venous return (venous insufficiency).
Our vascular laboratory can assess the venous circulation in the leg using an air bag attached to a pump and a computer. There are no needles as the test is non-invasive. This is called air-plethysmography and works in a similar way to measuring blood pressure. It can measure the amount of venous blood in the leg and the effectiveness of a stocking at returning this blood to the heart. An inflatable cuff (like a cuff used for measuring blood pressure)is applied around the thigh at varying pressures to prevent the venous return. The performance of a stocking at overcoming this cuff can be measured as can the force at which the venous blood returns when the thigh-cuff is deflated. Thus the benefits of various stockings can be assessed in improving the venous return.
Below knee stockings at two different compression strengths will be tested on patients with varicose veins, post-thrombotic syndrome, lymphoedema and healthy legs to see which is the most effective at improving the venous return in these groups.
REC name
London - Harrow Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
13/LO/1863
Date of REC Opinion
3 Jan 2014
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion