Stroke Training and Awareness Resources (STARs)

Intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC)

What does IPC comprise?

  • Intermittently squeezes the legs which increases the flow of blood in the deep veins
  • The CLOTS-3 trial showed that it reduces the risk of DVT in stroke patients (link to evidence)
  • Is effective in ischaemic & haemorrhagic stroke
  • The trial also showed that patients receiving treatment with IPC were more likely to survive
  • Should be used unless the patient is considered to have a poor prognosis and receiving palliative care

(for more information on IPC go to AM 17: Reducing the risk of venous thromboembolism)

patient wearing IPC stockings
(See the Research topic loop below for further information on RCTs.)

Topic Loop:

Page last reviewed: 16 Sep 2020