THE EFFECT OF GRADUATED ELASTIC COMPRESSION STOCKINGS ON FEMORAL BLOOD-FLOW VELOCITY DURING LATE PREGNANCY

The effect on femoral vein flow velocity of graduated compression was studied in ten women during late pregnancy. The maternal heart rate in creased significantly when the position was changed from supine to ver tical. This orthostatic increase was significantly reduced when gradua ted compression exerting 25 mmHg at the ankle level was applied. Close ly related to these findings was a significantly decreased femoral vei n flow velocity in the vertical position, less pronounced when graduat ed compression was used. The flow velocity was also significantly high er with compression than without in the standing position. These findi ngs support the use of graduated compression during late pregnancy.