N. Labropoulos et al., ACUTE AND LONG-TERM EFFECT OF ELASTIC STOCKINGS IN PATIENTS WITH VARICOSE-VEINS, International angiology, 13(2), 1994, pp. 119-123
The acute and long term effect of elastic stockings has been evaluated
in 20 patients (20 limbs) with grade 2 venous disease. The sites of v
enous reflux were determined with colour flow duplex scanning. Air Ple
thysmography was used to measure the amount of venous reflux and the e
jecting capacity of the calf muscle pump. The patients were classified
in to two different groups, A and B. Both groups of patients wore ela
stic stockings for four weeks. In group A (no. = 9) the measurements w
ere done before, during and one day after the removal of the stockings
, whereas in group B (no. = 11) the last measurements were done immedi
ately after the removal of the stockings. Patients that showed improve
ment in their haemodynamics were re-examined a week later. Elastic com
pression appeared to be beneficial in both groups. The application of
the elastic stockings improved reflux and the residual volume fraction
in both groups and the ejecting capacity of the calf muscle pump in g
roup B . Immediately after the removal of the stockings (Group B) all
the measurements regressed to the initial values with the exemption of
the residual volume fraction. However, one week later, the latter als
o regressed to the original value. It is concluded that the beneficial
effect of elastic stockings on the venous haemodynamics is present ma
inly when the stockings are worn. It is completely abolished within a
day after their removal.