Benefits of Intermittent Pneumatic Compression

Intermittent Pneumatic Compression (IPC) therapy is designed to assist blood and fluid flow which has been inhibited by impairment or injury. By applying compression to a limb via specially designed garments, blood flow is increased and extracellular fluid is cleared. IPC mimics the natural physiological mechanisms of the pumping action of muscles to return fluid back into the vascular and lymphatic systems. IPC is safe, non-invasive and simple to use.

Flowtron Hydroven Therapy Systems are designed to treat a wide variety of vascular or lymphatic conditions including venous ulceration, localised oedema following trauma, dependent oedema, lyphoedema, muscle wasting or weakness and fixed flexion deformities.

Natural physiological process

The available evidence suggests that the potential benefits of IPC therapy includes its non- invasive nature, its ability to be applied by patients or their carers, its safety and comfort and its long term cost saving both in materials and nursing time (Vowden 2001).

Patient involvement

Patients who are involved in a healthcare decisions and understand what is happening to take a greater degree of ownership and responsibilty for their treatment and care (www.dh.gov.uk). IPC allowes the patient to regain control of their treatment, giving them a sense of involvement whilst releasing healthcare resources and carers time


Clinically effective

Flowtron Hydroven Systems offer patients gentle and effective compression whch is easier to apply and better tolerated than compression bandaging, yet produces equally effective results (Rowland 2000).

Protocol For Use

Indications

• IPC is particularly effective when used in non- obstructive oedemas such as immobility, venous incompetence, lymphovenous stasis and hypoproteinaemia
• In obstructive lymphoedema, the patient or therapist should perform simple lymphatic drainage (SLD) or manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) prior to use to stimulate lymphatic flow from the adjacent truncal areas

Source: Bray T and Barrett J (2000) Pneumatic compression therapy. In Lymphoedema. Edited by Twycross R, Jenns K and Todd J, Radcliffe Medical Press: 236 û 243

Contraindications

Flowtron Hydroven Therapy Systems should not be used in the following conditions:

• Known or suspected deep vein thrombosis (DVT), pulmonary embolism, thrombophlebitis and acute infections of the skin such as cellulitis
• Decompensated / severe congestive cardiac failure, pulmonary oedema associated with significant limb oedema or any condition where an increase of fluid to the heart may be detrimental
• Severe arteriosclerosis or other ischaemic vascular disease
• Active metastatic disease affecting the limb

Cautions

IPC should be used with care in patients with the following symptoms or conditions:

• Peripheral neuropathy, pain or numbness in the limb
• Undiagnosed, untreated or infected wounds, fragile skin, grafts or dermatological conditions that may be aggravated by the garment
• Extreme limb deformity which may practically impede the correct application of the garment

These are guidelines only and should not replace clinical judgement and experience.