Effect of intermittent pneumatic compression of foot and calf on walking distance, hemodynamics, and quality of life in patients with arterial claudication: a prospective randomized controlled study with 1-year follow-up.

summary background dataPerioperative mortality, graft failure, and angioplasty limitations militate against active intervention for claudication. With the exception of exercise programs, conservative treatments yield modest results. Intermittent pneumatic compression [IPC] of the foot used daily for 3 months enhances the walking ability and pressure indices of claudicants. Although IPC applied to the foot and calf together [IPCfoot+calf] is hemodynamically superior to IPC of the foot, its clinical effects in claudicants remain undetermined.

objectiveThis prospective randomized controlled study evaluates the effects of IPCfoot+calf on the walking ability, peripheral hemodynamics, and quality of life [QOL] in patients with arterial claudication.

methodsForty-one stable claudicants, meeting stringent inclusion and exclusion criteria, were randomized to receive either IPCfoot+calf and aspirin[75 mg] (Group 1; n = 20), or aspirin[75 mg] alone (Group 2; n = 21), with stratification for diabetes and smoking. Groups matched for age, sex, initial [ICD] and absolute [ACD] claudication distances, pressure indices [ABI], popliteal artery flow, and QOL with the short-form 36 Health Survey Questionnaire (SF-36). IPCfoot+calf (120 mm Hg, inflation 4 seconds x 3 impulses per minute, calf inflate delay 1 second) was used for 5 months, > or =2.5 hours daily. Both groups were advised to exercise unsupervised. Evaluation of patients, after randomization, included the ICD and ACD, ABI, popliteal artery flow with duplex and QOL* at baseline*, 1/12, 2/12, 3/12, 4/12, 5/12* and 17/12. Logbooks allowed compliance control. Wilcoxon and Mann-Whitney corrected[Bonferroni] tests were used.

resultsAt 5/12 median ICD, ACD, resting and postexercise ABI had increased by 197%, 212%, 17%, and 64%, respectively, in Group 1 (P < 0.001), but had changed little (P > 0.1) in Group 2; Group 1 had better ICD, ACD, and resting and postexercise ABI (P < 0.01) than Group 2. Inter- and intragroup popliteal flow differences at 5/12 were small (P > 0.1). QOL had improved significantly in Group 1 but not in Group 2; QOL in the former was better (P < 0.01) than in Group 2. QOL in Group 1 was better (P < 0.01) than in Group 2 at 5/12. IPC was complication free. IPC compliance (> or =2.5 hours/d) was >82% at 1 month and >85% at 3 and 5 months. ABI and walking benefits in Group 1 were maintained a year after cessation of IPC treatment.

conclusionsIPCfoot+calf emerged as an effective, high-compliance, complication-free method for improving the walking ability and pressure indices in stable claudication, with a durable outcome. These changes were associated with a significant improvement in all aspects of QOL evaluated with the SF-36. Despite some limited benefit noted in some individuals, unsupervised exercise had a nonsignificant impact overall.