Hemodynamic analysis of intermittent pneumatic compression combined with hyperthermia after total hip arthroplasty: an experiment on male rabbits

Objective: To investigate the effect of intermittent pneumatic compression combined with hyperthermia (IPCH) on the hemodynamic changes in lower limbs of male rabbits and to clarify whether its efficacy is superior to that of intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC) or hyperthermia (HT) alone.

Methods: Thirty male adult New Zealand white rabbits with a body mass of 2.6±0.3 kg were obtained to establish a model of postoperative hypercoagulable state by simulating left hip surgery. Then they were randomly divided into HT group, IPC group, and IPCH group. Relevant hemodynamic parameters were examined by color Doppler ultrasound before and after treatment. A femoral vein finite element model was established according to fluid mechanics to analyze the blood flow velocity distribution vector, total deformation, equivalent stress of the femoral vein and venous valve.

Results: The heart rate, blood flow per minute, and mean and peak blood velocity of the femoral vein in IPCH group were significantly higher than those in HT and IPC groups (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in venous diameter (P>0.05). The blood flow velocity distribution vector, the total deformation of femoral vein, and the equivalent stress between femoral vein and venous valve in the IPCH group were higher than those in HT and IPC groups, but the total deformation of venous valve was smaller in IPCH group.

Conclusions: IPCH superimposes the effects of IPC and HT, and can more effectively promote changes in local blood circulation to prevent deep vein thrombosis.