Use of the muscle pump activator for increasing lower limb venous flow velocity

Objective: To demonstrate the effect of a newly developed device, the Muscle Pump Activator, on venous flow velocity of the lower limbs. Design: Prospective study. Setting: Tertiary-care teaching hospital. Subjects: A group of 30 healthy volunteers. Interventions: The Muscle Pump Activator is a self-activated pedal device for use in the sitting position. Venous flow velocity was measured by duplex examination of the femoral vein at rest and during activation by the subject of the device. Subjective reports were also collected. Results: Venous flow velocity increased from 13.3 (SD 2.4) cm/s at rest to a maximum of 70.3 (SD 14.4) cm/s during 15 s of pedalling (p < 0.01). This represents an increase in flow of 439 (SD 12.4)%. Ease of use and comfort of the device were reported by all the volunteers. Conclusions: This Muscle Pump Activator significantly improves venous flow velocity and holds promise as a useful adjunctive modality for the prevention of postoperative deep vein thrombosis. It is easy to use and well tolerated. Studies are now needed in clincial settings with large groups of patients.