Compliance in using a pneumatic compression device after total knee arthroplasty.

A prospective study was performed to assess compliance with using a pneumatic foot compression device for venous thrombosis prophylaxis after total knee arthroplasty. One hundred patients received the PlexiPulse pneumatic compression device after unilateral total knee arthroplasty. Patients were observed postoperatively by the nurses on their floor and by 2 impartial research assistants.

Effect of pneumatic compression on fibrinolysis after total hip arthroplasty.

The purpose of this prospective randomized clinical study was to investigate the enhanced systemic fibrinolysis mechanism of venous thrombosis prevention by pneumatic compression after total hip arthroplasty. Fifty patients were randomized into one of two groups (one with pneumatic compression [n=25] and one without [n=25]). Blood was drawn from a radial arterial line immediately preoperatively (baseline), at skin closure, and 8 hours and 22 hours after the baseline sample.