Effect of Active and Passive Mechanical Thromboprophylaxis and Consensual Effect on the Venous Blood Flow Velocity Among Hemiparetic Patients

Our aim was to measure the venous blood flow velocity (VBFV) in case of hemiparetic patients, after passive and active thromboembolic methods, as well as the consensual effect in the hemiparetic limb following the active venous exercises in the healthy limb. We examined 215 patients, with the median age of 58.0 (55.0-63.0) years. The VBFV was measured with a HADECO BIDOP ES-100 V II type Doppler ultrasound device, using an 8 MHz head, on the femoral vein at the level of the hip joint. For statistical analysis, SPSS version 22 was used. After passive movement, on the hemiparetic side, compared to the value in resting state, the VBFV significantly (12.6; 11.6-13.5 cm/s; P < .001) increased. Following active venous exercises performed on the healthy side, the VBFV significantly (18.0; 15.6-19.6 cm/s; P < .001) increased compared to the value in resting state. Following the active venous exercises performed on the healthy side, the VBFV measured on the hemiparetic side (consensual effect) was significantly (15.1 [14.1-16.5] cm/s; P < .001) higher than the value on the hemiparetic side in resting state. Active and passive mechanical thromboprophylaxis methods can be effective. Movements of the healthy limb significantly increase the VBFV in the inactive limb, and patients can perform it themselves several times a day.