Surgical stockings do not prevent blood clots: Study
POSTED May 28, 2009 - 08:34 | POSTED BY Jyoti Pal
Last edited by Harpreet Bhagrath on May 28, 2009 - 10:53
The study, conducted by the University of Edinburgh, revealed that the compression stockings, designed to increase blood flow in the legs, do not prevent the formation of deep-vein thrombosis (DVT), a form of blood clot that can travel to the heart or lungs and is potentially fatal.
The study
For the purpose of the study, over 2,500 stroke patients in the UK, Italy and Australia were studied. The patients were divided into two equal groups. While all the patients under study received routine medicine and care, half of them wore surgical stockings as well.
After an observation period of 30 days, the researchers found no major difference in the blood clot rate in the two groups. On the contrary, the group with stockings reported a higher incidence of skin breaks, ulcers and blisters, than their counterparts who were without stockings.
Martin Dennis, professor of Stroke Medicine at the University of Edinburgh, declared, “We have shown conclusively that compression stockings do not work for stroke patients.”
Savings in cost and time
The researchers aver that doing away with the use of stockings would save both time and money. The NHS would save an estimated £7 million and 320,000 hours of nursing time a year if it were to cut the use of stockings.
Dr Peter Coleman of the Stroke Association said, "It is important that all treatments are carefully evaluated, and if studies show they are ineffective in stroke patients, we believe they should be discontinued.”
The findings highlight the significance of cooperation and understanding that is required between the NHS and universities.
Dr Dennis called for a change in the guidelines on the use of these stockings, “The national guidelines need to be revised and we need further research to establish effective treatments for these patients. Abandoning this ineffective and sometimes uncomfortable treatment will free up valuable resources in our health services.”
The results of the study were published in The Lancet. They were also presented at the European Stroke Conference in Stockholm.
