Safety of compression therapy for venous ulcer disease in the setting of congestive heart failure

Abstract

Objectives Compression therapy is the mainstay of treatment for patients with venous ulcer disease. There exists a lack of certainty as to the safety of compression therapy in patients with congestive heart failure. Methods A retrospective review of 95 patients with the diagnosis of congestive heart failure (systolic, diastolic, or combined), who underwent compression therapy at the wound care center of a large teaching hospital between January 2013 and June 2019, was performed. Patient outcomes including mortality, weight gain, admission for heart failure decompensation, and requirement for diuretic dose increase were compared to the general congestive heart failure population as well as to the registry data. Results In the compression cohort, with a mean compression period of 310 days, seven patients (7.3%) were admitted for congestive heart failure exacerbation and six (6.3%) underwent diuretic dosage increase. Two patients (2.1%) died during the compression period. These endpoints were not significantly higher than within the general congestive heart failure population. Conclusions Compression therapy appears safe amongst patients with stable congestive heart failure.