VascuTherm 4

Description

Clinical Benefits of DVT Prophylaxis Therapy

Deep Vein Thrombosis is the development of a blood clot, usually in the lower leg. If this blood clot breaks free, it can lodge in the lungs (PE), heart (myocardial infarction), or the brain (causing a stroke) all of which can cause death or serious injury which cause re-admittance to a hospital. This type of post-surgical complication is very common and is an epidemic causing more deaths than HIV, breast cancer and automobile accidents combined (American Public Health Association, 2003). The positive aspect of this epidemic is that there are numerous preventative measures that can be taken to significantly reduce the risk of a DVT. Some of these preventive measures include mechanical IPC, pharmacological agents or a combined approach, which is considered a best practice.

Orthopedic surgery, including total joint replacement and complex arthroscopic procedures, are known to be the highest risk surgical procedures; causing over 600,000 patients to suffer from DVT complications each year. In fact, in the absence of preventative treatments, 40%-60% of patients will suffer from DVT*; and according to the US Surgeon General, resulting in over 100,000 deaths per year.

The VascuTherm provides the solution for DVT Prophylaxis Therapy.

Clinical Benefits of Cold Therapy

Soft tissue trauma from injury, overuse, or surgical intervention causes an inflammatory response. At the cellular level, trauma causes disruption at the cell wall and can damage the cell and surrounding cells. As a response, the cell attempts to repair itself using anaerobic metabolism, which cannot be sustained. Because of this, the damaged cell cannot regulate the concentration gradients and allows water to pass through. As water dilutes the cells, the body releases a number of chemicals to correct the issue and get rid of cellular debris. As this happens, vasodilation occurs, increasing blood flow and transporting of fluid to the inflamed area. This process accounts for the redness and swelling sometimes associated with inflammation.

By utilizing cold therapy, the temperature of the tissue is lowered and the rates of the chemical reactions that actually cause the inflammation are slowed. Therefore, more cells survive, the damage slows, and healing is accelerated. The cold also acts as an analgesic and reduces the pain from any inflammation and the associated swelling.

It should be mentioned that cold is effective only if used properly. Using a device that is too warm is not therapeutic, while using a device that is able to get too cold can cause damage to the tissue and nerves. The VascuTherm is one of the only ice-free devices available on the market, so temperature is precise and stable, therefore removing the worry of running out of ice or running another device at a low temperature that could potentially cause frostbite. The VascuTherm is regulated to operate between specific temperatures (43F-50F), therefore significantly reducing any risk of cold injury.

The VascuTherm provides the solution for safe and clinically effective continuous cold therapy!

Clinical Benefits of Compression Therapy

Compression also aids the effectiveness of the cold therapy by improving the contact of the cold therapy wrap with the skin. Compression also helps reduce the excess fluid that can be accumulated after soft tissue injury or trauma. The compression also addresses the musculoskeletal injury by reducing the blood flow and swelling, removing the edema and reducing post-operative blood drainage, which can be an ictus for infection or hematoma formation.

The combination of cold and compression therapy is very beneficial for patients recovering from orthopedic surgery and has many far reaching benefits. In multiple clinical controlled and randomized studies, the combination of cold and compression therapy has been shown to improve outcomes in numerous ways, including lower VAS pain scores, reduction of analgesics and narcotics, lower suctioned blood loss, improved range of motion 14 days post operatively, reduce hospital stays on an average of 1.5 days, and faster independent ambulation.

The VascuTherm provides the solution for effective compression and edema management. For Assistance with Insurance Contact Us Now.