Lack of Tourniquet Effect of Below-Knee Stockings

Abstract

Objective: To determine whether below-knee compression stockings impede venous return by a tourniquet effect. Design: Randomised, cross-over clinical trial. Patients: Ten outpatient women suffering from mild or moderate primary varicose veins without skin trophic disorder. Methods: Air plethysmography with venous occlusion (50 mmHg) was used to measure arterial inflow (AI), venous volume (V50) and maximum venous outflow (MVO), without stockings and when wearing French class 1 (10-15 mmHg) and class 2 (15-20 mmHg) below-knee stockings. Results: No carry over due to the cross-over design was detected. There was no significant variation in MVO induced by class 1 (44 vs 45 ml/s) or class 2 (42 vs 41 ml/s) stockings. AI decreased significantly with class 2 (0.93 vs 1.22 ml/s, /? = 0.012) but not with class 1 (1.22 vs 1.20 ml/s) stockings. V50 did not change with class 1 (97 vs 95 ml) but decreased with class 2 (80 vs 98 ml, p = 0.031) stockings. Conclusion: No tourniquet effect of class 1 and class 2 below-knee stockings was observed. Venous capacity and arterial inflow were reduced by class 2 stockings.