RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Despite the continuing high incidence of deep vein thrombosis after total hip arthroplasty, currently available mechanical thromboprophylactic systems are not sufficiently utilised in Germany. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Duplex-sonographic measurements of the maximum venous flow velocity (V. femoralis) in 10 healthy individuals performed with a leg orientation synonymous to that during total hip arthroplasty were compared to figures obtained during an out-stretched leg position. Additionally, duplex-sonography was conducted on 9 patients intra-operatively during total hip replacement to complete the study. All investigations were executed both with and without application of the A-V Impulse System (AVIS), a mechanical thromboprophylactic procedure. RESULTS: In contrast to the out-stretched leg position, a decreased venous peak flow velocity during surgery as well as in the operation-identical leg orientation was demonstrated in the absence of AVIS. However, by means of AVIS, a significant increase in the venous peak flow velocity (p < 0.01) was achieved for both situations. Additionally, an increased vessel diameter of the V. femoralis communis was observed in 75% of patients due to the leg orientation stipulated for hip replacement surgery. CONCLUSION: The data suggest that the A-V Impulse System can effectively accelerate the venous reflux-flow during operations involving hip replacements and thus provide an early preventative therapy for deep vein thrombosis after a surgical procedure.