Improvement in Clinical Outcomes, Physical Function, and Bodily Pain Following a 12 Week Course of Intermittent Pneumatic Compression Therapy in Patients with Chronic Venous Ulcers: Results of an Observational Longitudinal Retrospective Study

Clinical records of 94 chronic venous ulcer patients (treated at two independent specialty centers) were included in a retrospective analysis to evaluate the effects of standard of care, plus continued intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC) therapy during and after wound closure. Both clinical centers employed the Venous Clinical Severity Score (VCSS) to monitor clinical outcomes. IPC application varied slightly between the two clinical sites. One wound care center in South Florida treated patients (n=60) using a four chamber gradient IPC at 50 mmHg for 45 minutes BID (five days on and two days off). The other center in New York treated patients (n=34) with a four chamber gradient IPC at 55 mmHg for one hour BID. Both wound care centers applied IPC therapy using standard adjustable (95.3cm) half-leg sleeves. Both centers used the same IPC therapy pump (Bio Compression Model 2004, Bio Compression Systems Inc., Moonachie, NJ). All patients were seen weekly for standard evaluations and reapplication of compression bandages. Patient record analysis was for 12 consecutive weeks beginning at baseline (prior to IPC application). VCSS scores were recorded at monthly intervals. The incidence of ulcer healing was 80% after 12 weeks of IPC therapy. Symptomatic improvement was noted in every VCSS parameter measured. In the category of pain, there was a significant difference in the number of patients reporting severe pain before and after IPC therapy (42 at baseline vs. 0 after 12 weeks of IPC [p=0.004]). Also, the number of patients reporting no pain before and after IPC therapy increased by 67% (p<0.001). In the category of edema, significant improvement was noted after 12 weeks of IPC therapy in patients that had severe edema at baseline (p=0.017) and also in the number of patients where the edema resolved (p=0.004). Severe inflammation was significantly reduced in all study patients (p=0.022) and completely resolved in 60 of the 94 patients (63.8%, p<0.001). The incidence of ulcer healing was 80% after 12 weeks of IPC therapy. Significant symptomatic improvement was noted in every VCSS parameter. Categories: Dermatology, Pain Management, Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation