What Are Anti Embolism Stockings?
- Deep vein thrombosis or DVT is a term for blood clots that form in the deep veins of the body, usually the thighs and lower legs. According to MedLine Plus, these clots are the ones most likely to travel to the lungs causing a pulmonary embolism or PE, though they can travel to the brain as well. If brain embolism or PE occurs, blood flow to the affected area is cut off and tissues are starved of oxygen; if this continues for more than few minutes tissue death will occur.
- Anyone who is immobile for long periods of time is at risk for DVT. This includes sitting during long flights, prolonged bed rest in or out of hospital and immobilization of the leg, such as in a cast. MedLine Plus lists other contributing factors for blood clot formation including: smoking, heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity, cancers pressing against deep veins, certain medications and blood disorders that cause blood to thicken. Those who have had surgery or given birth within the last six months could also be at increased risk.
- The symptoms of DVT consist of redness or warmth in one leg, leg pain and/or tenderness and swelling or edema. DVT should be treated by a health care professional immediately to prevent the development of embolism. MedBroadcast lists the symptoms of embolism as: shortness of breath or wheezing, coughing, chest pain, blood in the sputum and dizziness or fainting. Symptoms can range from mild to severe.
- Prevention of DVT and embolism involves the use of anticoagulant medications such as heparin and warfarin, which help to thin the blood and dissolve clots. Anti embolism stockings will are also recommended to increase blood flow between the heart and legs. Should embolism occur treatment will also include oxygen, analgesics to relieve pain and possibly surgery to remove the clot, according to Merck Manuals.
- Anti embolism stockings are designed with a compression gradient, meaning that pressure exerted on the leg is greatest at the ankle and gradually reduces toward the top of the stocking. This will promote better circulation and some pain relief. Compression stockings are available in a variety of pressure gradients designed for different uses and wear time. Those stockings designated anti embolism will be labelled as having 18 mmHg; this stands for 18 millimeters of mercury which is a measurement of pressure according to Therafirm. They are designed to worn only short term wear while a patient is not ambulatory or able to get up and around.