A Comparison of Sequential Compression Devices and Foot Pumps in the Obstetric Population

Study of Patient Compliance and Comfort Using Sequential Compression Devices and Foot Pumps for DVT Prevention

The researchers at Johns Hopkins University believe that the foot pump will be superior to sequential compression devices in comfort and patient compliance which may increase provider efforts to prevent deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in pregnancy.

The investigators will be comparing sequential compression devices (SCDs) to foot pumps to determine if foot pumps will be better tolerated by obstetric patients, both antepartum and intrapartum. Patients in whom thromboembolic prophylaxis is deemed necessary and ordered by the treating physician, who agree to participate in the study will be randomly assigned to receive SCDs or the foot pump as part of their thromboembolic prophylaxis regimen. The investigators will administer a questionnaire to assess patients' satisfaction and comfort with each device and they will be asked to complete a log of hours they wore their assigned device for a 7 day period (or as long as they are prescribed). Random spot checks to verify compliance will be performed.

deep vein thrombosis, thrombophilia, pregnancy, thromboprophylaxis, decreased mobility, hospitalization

Patients will have the Kendall, A-V foot impulse pump, model 6060 applied to their lower extremities to prevent DVT

Patients will have the Kendall,sequential compression device, model 9525 applied to the lower extremities to prevent DVT

Will wear device for DVT prevention and receive questionnaire about compliance and comfort. Will also undergo random checks to confirm compliance with instructions and use

Will wear device for DVT prevention and receive questionnaire about compliance and comfort. Will also undergo random checks to confirm compliance with instructions and use

Scale of 1-10 (1 being very uncomfortable and 10 being very uncomfortable) describing level of comfort during the time of device use (composite score of heat, softness, discomfort).

Inclusion Criteria: Pregnant Bedrest Thrombophilia Prescribed DVT prophylaxis Exclusion Criteria: Active DVT

Middleton P, Shepherd E, Gomersall JC. Venous thromboembolism prophylaxis for women at risk during pregnancy and the early postnatal period. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2021 Mar 29;3(3):CD001689. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD001689.pub4.