- small trials in surgical patients, where stockings can be applied before immobility, have suggested that they reduce the risk of DVT
- however the large CLOTS 1 trial has conclusively shown that graduated compression stockings do not reduce the risk of DVT after stroke
- they are difficult to fit, apply and maintain
- patients find them uncomfortable
- they cause pressure sores and skins problems in 5% of patients
- they waste valuable nursing resources
- NICE and ESO VTE guidelines recommend that GCS should not be used in stroke patients
CLOTS Trials Collaboration. Effectiveness of thigh-length graduated compression stockings to reduce the risk of deep vein thrombosis after stroke. Reference: (CLOTS Trial 1): a multicentre, randomized controlled trial. Lancet 2009;373:1958-1965. CLOTS Trial 1 paper. CLOTS Trial 1 content from STARs Advancing Module 11. CLOTS trial design
Page last reviewed: 22 Apr 2020
