FIBRINOLYSIS AND ELASTIC COMPRESSION - NO FIBRINOLYTIC EFFECT OF ELASTIC COMPRESSION IN HEALTHY-VOLUNTEERS

The local and systemic fibrinolytic response to the placing of elastic compression in healthy volunteers was studied to determine whether th is method of preventing venous thromboembolism has any profibrinolytic effect, as previously demonstrated with intermittent pneumatic compre ssion. Variations in the major parameters of fibrinolysis (euglobulin lysis time, t-PA antigen, PAI-1 antigen, PAI-1 activity) were studied in an open randomized cross-over study in 21 healthy volunteers, in wh ich three types of treatment were tested for periods of 24 h each (wit hout elastic compression, elastic compression of an upper limb, elasti c compression of the lower limbs). Four blood samples were taken from the upper limb during each period (at 08:00 h, 10:00 h, 18:00 h, 08:00 h on the following day). The placing of elastic compression did not c ause any statistically significant change in the four parameters teste d between the three types of treatment. In contrast, circadian rhythm was confirmed for all the fibrinolytic factors studied with a minimal fibrinolytic activity in the morning and a maximal activity in the eve ning. Elastic compression does not seem to have any profibrinolytic ef fect in healthy volunteers but other studies are needed in patients be fore a definitive conclusion can be reached.