Intermittent pneumatic compression

Intermittent pneumatic compression is a therapeutic technique used in medical devices that include an air pump and inflatable auxiliary sleeves, gloves or boots in a system designed to improve venous circulation in the limbs of patients who have edema or the risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), pulmonary embolism (PE), or the combination of DVT and PE, venous thromboembolism (VTE).

A short time later, the pressure is reduced, allowing increased blood flow back into the limb.

[2]: 162 Sequential compression devices (SCD) utilize sleeves with separated areas or pockets of inflation, which works to squeeze on the appendage in a "milking action."

[3] Intraoperative SCD-therapy is recommended during prolonged laparoscopic surgery to counter altered venous blood return from the lower extremities and consequent cardiac depression caused by pneumoperitoneum (inflation of the abdomen with carbon dioxide).

[4] Some clinicians are hesitant to prescribe SCD therapy because of a perceived increased risk for patient falls.