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HCP > Indications > DVT

Minor signs of PTS1

  • Skin discolouration
  • Venous ectasia
  • Discomfort
  • Swelling

Major manifestations of PTS1

post thrombotic syndrome
  • Chronic pain
  • Intractable oedema
  • Leg ulceration

Preventing post-thrombotic syndrome

One in every three to four patients who develop symptomatic DVT in their lower limbs will develop post-thrombotic syndrome.1

In a study published in 20041, 180 patients with DVT were followed for 5 years; 90 patients wore compression hosiery and 90 patients in the control group did not.

44 of the 90 patients in the control group developed post-thrombotic sequelae, 10 of which were severe. This was compared with 23 of the 90 (severe in 3) in the group wearing compression hosiery.

Development of post-thrombotic sequelae

44 patients out of 90 in the control group developed PTS against 10 in the stockings group

This represents a reduction in:

  • Overall incidence over the five-year period of 48%
  • Severe manifestations by 70%

Post-thrombotic syndrome can also be a precursor to venous ulceration. To find out more about using compression hosiery to prevent the occurrence and recurrence of venous ulcers click here.

Deep vein thrombosis in flight

Over recent years there have been many reports in the press about the occurrence of DVT when travelling, particularly when flying. A major study2, published in 2002, revealed evidence that compression socks, such as Scholl Flight Socks (compression level 14-17mmHg), can effectively reduce the risk of deep vein Thrombosis (DVT) on long haul flights. The study – entitled LONFLIT 4 – was carried out using more than 600 passengers on long haul flights from:

  • London to New York (7 – 8 hours)
  • London to Phoenix, Arizona (11 – 12 hours)

Half of the passengers took no preventative measures against DVT and the other half wore Scholl Flight Socks providing a compression level of 14-17mmHg at the ankle. The study focused only on people classed as low-to-medium risk of DVT and found that of those not wearing Flight Socks:

  • More than 4% suffered from some form of thrombosis during the flight to Phoenix
  • More than 3% suffered from some form of thrombosis during the flight to New York

The incidence of thrombosis among those wearing Scholl Flight Socks was zero

The study also found clear evidence that wearing Scholl Flight Socks prevented oedema, which is believed to be a cause of DVT through veins being compressed. The research found that the level of oedema (swelling) in passengers' legs wearing Scholl Flight Socks was approximately three times lower than in those passengers who did not take any preventative measures. For more information about Scholl Flight Socks, visit www.schollflightsocks.co.uk.

  1. Prandoni P et al. Below-knee elastic compression stockings to prevent post-thrombotic syndrome. A randomised, controlled trial. Ann Intern Med 2004; 141: 249-256
  2. Belcaro, G et al. Prevention of edema, flight microangiopathy and venous thrombosis in long flights with elastic stockings. A Randomized Trial. The LONFLIT 4 Concorde Edema-SSL study Angiology 2002; 52(5): 635-645

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