The effect of the position of the limb on venous impulse foot pumps

Compression foot pumps are widely used for the prevention of postoperative venous thrombosis. We tested the efficiency of the pump in ten healthy subj ects; the velocity of venous blood flow in the common femoral vein was meas ured in the horizontal, Trendelenberg (foot-up) and reverse-Trendelenberg ( foot-down) positions. Application of the foot pump produced an increase in the venous velocity in all subjects. The mean increase in the horizontal position was 27.2% and i n the Trendelenberg position 15.4%, In the reverse-Trendelenberg position, the foot pump produced a mean increase of 102.8%. The efficiency of the compression foot pump in increasing venous return is improved by adopting the reverse-Trendelenberg position. This may increase its thromboprophylactic effect.