THE EFFECTS OF BELOW-KNEE MEDICAL COMPRESSION STOCKINGS ON PULSE WAVE VELOCITY OF YOUNG HEALTHY VOLUNTEERS

The effects of graduated medical compression stockings (MCS) on cardiovascular responses are poorly investigated. A simple study was undertaken to investigate whether the application of below-knee leg MCSs with different pressures could influence aortic pulse wave velocity (PWV) as the gold standard for aortic stiffness measurement evaluated by arteriography. Ten volunteers underwent PWV measurement at baseline, then in below-knee compression class (ccl) 1 (18-21 mm Hg), 2 (23-32 mm Hg) and 3 (34-46 mm Hg) MCSs in a consecutive manner. Baseline PWV (mean value: 7.86 +/- 1.70 m.s(-1)) was significantly reduced by ccl 1 MCSs (mean value: 6.55 +/- 0.88 m.s(-1), p = 0.04). ccl 2 and ccl 3 stockings also notably decreased baseline PWV (mean values: 6.63 +/- 0.65 m.s(-1), p = 0.058 and 6.62 +/- 1.00 m.s(-1), p = 0.067; respectively). The application of low compression MCSs (ccl 1) leads to a significant decrease in PWV indicating a beneficial cardiovascular influence.

Automated summary

The application of graduated medical compression stockings with different pressures can significantly reduce aortic pulse wave velocity, indicating a beneficial cardiovascular influence.