• C Mazzone, Grandi F Chiodo, P Sandercock, M Miccio, and R Salvi.
• Cochrane Db Syst Rev. 2004 Oct 18 (4): CD001922.

BackgroundDeep vein thrombosis (DVT) and resulting pulmonary embolism (PE) are uncommon but important complications of stroke. There is good evidence that anticoagulants can reduce the risk of DVT and PE after stroke, but this benefit is offset by a small but definite risk of serious haemorrhages. Physical methods to prevent DVT and PE (such as compression stockings applied to the legs) are not associated with any bleeding risk and are effective in some categories of medical and surgical patients. We sought to assess their effects in stroke patients.ObjectivesTo assess the effectiveness and safety of physical methods of preventing the onset of deep vein thrombosis and fatal or non fatal pulmonary embolism in patients with recent stroke.Search StrategyWe searched the Cochrane Stroke Group trials register (last searched June 2003). In addition we searched the following electronic bibliographic databases: Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (The Cochrane Library, Issue 2, 2003), MEDLINE (1966 to June 2003), EMBASE (1980 to June 2003) and CINAHL (1982 to June 2003). The reference lists of all relevant papers were screened for additional trials.Selection CriteriaUnconfounded randomised controlled trials comparing physical methods for the prevention of DVT with control, in which prophylaxis was started within seven days of the onset of stroke.Data Collection And AnalysisTwo reviewers independently searched for relevant trials and three others independently checked the results.Main ResultsWe identified two small trials which included 123 patients. In one trial of 97 patients, compression stockings were associated with a non significant trend towards a reduction in DVT detected by Doppler ultrasound. In one trial of 26 patients, an intermittent pneumatic compression device was not associated with a significant reduction in DVT detected by 125-I-fibrinogen scanning. Overall, physical methods were not associated with a significant reduction in DVT during the treatment period in survivors (Odds ratio (OR) 0.54, 95% Confidence Interval (CI) 0.18 to 1.57) or death (OR 1.54, 95% CI 0.5 to 4.77).Reviewers' ConclusionsThere is insufficient evidence from randomised trials to support the routine use of physical methods for preventing DVT in acute stroke.

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